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OF   THE 

Theological    Seminary, 

BV  228  .P7  1855 

Bible. 

The  prayers  of  the  Bible 


Book,  *^®- 


A       DONATION 


^^^£JLf^        ^^^ 


deceived 


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'H' 


THE 


PKAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE: 


THEIR  ANSWERS. 


COLLECTED  ST 


A   CHURCH   MEMBER, 


NEW  YORK: 

PUBLISHED  BY   A.  S.  BARNES  A  CO. 

1856* 


Enlered  according  lo  Act  cf  Congress,  tn  the  year  [835, 
BY  A.  S.  BARNES  &  CO., 

1b  th«  CItrk'i  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  for  llie  >^outlieru  Didrict  ef 
New  Yorls. 


TO 

THE    FRIENO 

WHO   SUGGESTED    THE   IDEA    OF   THE   PRESENT    VOLUME 

IT    IS   AFFECTIONATELY   INSCRIBED, 

BY   THE   AUTHOR. 


./'^Pli III CUTGIT    '% 


THSOLOGIO 

CONTENTS. 


Praiicra  of  tijc  ©l^  Testament. 

Introduction , IS 

Prayer  of  Abram 18 

Prayer  of  Abraham  for  the  Cities  of  the  Plain 21 

Prayer  of  Abraham's  Servant 24 

Prayer  of  Jacob  for  Deliverance  from  Esau 27 

Israel's  Prayer  for  God's  Blessing  on  Joseph,  Ephraim,  and  Ma- 

nasseh ; 29 

Prayer  of  Moses 82 

Prayer  of  Moses  for  Water  for  the  Children  of  Israel 85 

Prayer  of  Moses  to  avert  the  Divine  Anger 86 

Prayer  of  Moses  when  the  People  made  the  Golden  Calf 88 

Prayer  of  Moses  that  he  jnay  see  the  Glory  of  the  Lord 4Q 

Prayer  of  Moses  on  Mount  Sinai 43 

Prayer  of  Moses  for  the  Scattering  of  the  Lord's  Enemies 46 

Prayer  of  Moses  when  the  people  Weep  for  Flesh  to  Eat 41 

Prayer  of  Moses  as  to  the  manner  in  which  the  Lord  will  give 

the  people  Flesh  to  Eat 49 


yi  CONTENTS. 


PAOB 

Prayer  of  Moses  for  lliriam 52 

Prayer  of  Moses  that  the  People  may  not  be  Saiitten  -with  Pes- 
tilence     54 

Prayer  of  Moses  that  the  Lord  would  set  a  Man  over  the  Con- 

gration 57 

Prayer  of  Joshua 60 

Prayer  of  Hannah 63 

Prayer  of  Samuel 67 

Prayer  of  Samuel  for  a  Thunder  Storm  in  time  of  Wheat  Harvest.  6d 

Prayer  of  David  under  Trying  Circumstances .  71 

Prayer  of  David  when  the  Amalekites  had  invaded  Ziklag. ...  72 

Prayer  of  David  and  Thanksgiving 74 

Prayer  of  David  as  he  went  weeping  up  the  Mount  of  Olivet  . .  76 
Prayer  of  David  after  his  Transgression  in  numbering  Israel  and 

Judah 78 

Prayer  of  Solomon  for  "Wisdom 80 

Prayer  of  Solomon  at  the  Dedication  of  the  Temple 82 

Prayer  of  the  Prophet  for  the  Restoration  of  Jeroboam's  Withered 

Hand 88 

The  Power  of  Effectual  Fervent  Prayer 90 

Prayer  of  Elijah  for  the  Restoration  of  the  Widow's  Son 91 

Prayer  of  Elijah  on  Mount  Carmel 94 

Prayer  of  Elisha  for  his  Servant 96 

Prayer  of  Hezekiah 97 

Prayer  of  Hezekiah  in  Sickness 98 

Prayer  of  Jabez 101 

United  Prayer  of  an  Army 102 


CONTENTS.  Vli 

PAGR 

Prayer  of  Asa , 103 

Prayer  of  Jehoshaphat 105 

Prayer  of  Hezekiah  for  those  who  had  eaten  the  Passover  with- 
out Purification 107 

Prayer  of  Manasseh  when  in  Afifliction 108 

Prayer  of  Nehemiah  for  the  Captive  Remnant  of  Judah 110 

Prayers  of  Nehemiah  while  Building  the  Walls  of  Jerusalem. .  113 

Prayer  of  Job 116 

Prayer  of  Job  after  he  had  been  visited  by  his  Friends 117 

Prayer  of  Job  that  God  would  hide  him  from  his  Anger   119 

Prayer  of  Job  that  he  might  feel  God's  Presence 121 

Job's  Prayer  for  an  Answer  to  his  Petitions 123 

Prayer  of  Job  after  he  had  received  the  Answer 127 

Prayers  contained  in  the  Psalms   129 

Prayer  of  Agur 140 

Allegorical  Prayer  of  the  Church 143 

Isaiah's  Thanksgiving 145 

Isaiah's  Acknowledgment  of  God's  Mercy ; 146 

Isaiah's  Trust  in  God  and  Prayer  for  the  Church 148 

Prayer  of  the  Church  for  Deliverance  from  her  Enemies 151 

Israel's  Prayer  in  Returning  to  God,  and  for  the  Unconverted 

Remnant  of  the  People 152 

Prayer  of  the  Prophet  Jeremiah 160 

A  Voice  of  Weeping  and  Supplication  from  Israel 162 

Jeremiah  Prayeth  and  Teacheth  his  People  how  to  view  Ca- 
lamity    163 

Jeremiah,  Perplexed  on  account  of  Conspiracy,  Prays 164 


VIH  CONTENTS. 

FAGR 

Jeremiah  Intercedes  for  his  People  ia  Time  of  Famine 166 

A  Voice  of  Weeping  and  Supplication  from  Rachel 173 

The  Bemoanings  of  Ephraim 174 

Prayer  of  Jeremiah  in  Prison 175 

Lament  of  Jeremiah 182 

Jeremiah  Acknowledges  the  Lord  as  his  Portion 185 

Intercession  of  Ezekiel 1 87 

Ezekiel  Complains  that  the  People  do  not  Understand 190 

Prayer  of  Daniel  and  his  Companions  that  the  Lord  would  In- 
terpret Nebuchadnezzar's  Dream 192 

Nebuchadnezzar  Convicted  Blesses  God 195 

Thanksgiving  of  Nebuchadnezzar 196 

Prayer  of  Daniel  for  the  Restoration  of  Jerusalem.. 198 

The  Prophet  Joel's  Prayer  in  Time  of  Famine 203 

Prayers  of  Amos  that  God  would  Avert  the  Judgments  of  the 

Fire  and  Grasshoppers 204 

Prayer  of  the  Mariners  in  the  Storm 205 

Prayer  of  Jonah  from  the  Midst  of  the  Sea 208 

Jonah  Prays  that  God  will  take  his  life 210 

Prayer  of  the  Church  Complaining  of  Small  Numbers,  and  of 

the  General  Corruption 212 

Prayer  of  Habakkuk 214 

Habakkuk  Prays  in  prospect  of  Approaching  Trials 217 

Habakkuk's  Expectation  of  Answers  to  his  Prayers 218 

Prayer  of  Habakkuk  upon  Shigionoth  (or  Musical  Instrument).   219 
Prayer  of  the  Jews  concerniDg  their  Fasts 223 


CONTENTS.  ii 


JPragcra  of  tijc  IS^m  Testament. 


PAOB 


Introduction 227 

The  Lord's  Prayer 233 

The  Leper's  Prayer 235 

Prayer  of  the  Centurion 237 

Prayer  of  the  Disciples  in  the  Storm 239 

Prayer  of  Jairus 241 

Silent  Prayer  of  Faith 244 

Prayer  of  two  Blind  Men 246 

Prayer  of  our  Blessed  Lord 248 

Prayer  of  Peter ,     250 

Prayer  of  the  Syro-Phoenieiaa  Woman 253 

Prayer  of  a  Mother  for  her  Sons 255 

Prayer  of  the  Five  Foolish  Virgins 257 

Prayer  of  the  Disciples  at  Meat  with  our  Saviour 259 

Prayer  of  our  Saviour 260 

Prayer  of  our  Saviour  from  the  Cross 262 

Prayer  of  the  Man  that  had  been  Possessed  with  a  Devil 264 

Prayer  of  Mary,  the  Mother  of  our  Saviour 268 

Prayer  of  Simeon  in  the  Temple 271 

Prayer  of  Anna 272 

Prayer  of  Simon  Peter 275 

Prayer  of  Peter  on  the  Mount 276 

Prayer  of  the  Prodigal  Son 277 

Prayer  of  Dives 281 


X  CONTENTS. 

P&OB 

Prayer  of  the  Ten  Lepers 285 

Prayers  of  the  Pharisee  and  Publican 287 

Prayer  of  the  Young  Ruler 290 

Prayer  of  our  Saviour  from  the  Cross 293 

Prayer  of  the  Thief  from  the  Cross 296 

Prayer  of  a  Nobleman ...  299 

Prayers  of  Martha  and  Mary SOI 

Prayer  of  Philip 304 

Prayer  of  Judas,  not  Iscariot 307 

Prayer  of  our  Saviour 310 

Prayer  of  the  Apostles  314 

Prayer  of  the  Church 316 

Prayer  of  Stephen 318 

Prayer  of  Saul  of  Tarsus,  after  his  Conversion   319 

Prayers  of  the  Church  for  Peter 323 

The  Prayers  and  Praises  of  Paul  and  Silas 325 

Prayer  of  St.  Paul  in  the  Temple 328 

Prayers  of  St.  Paul  for  the  Church  at  Rome 330 

Prayer  of  St.  Paul  for  the  Church  at  Corinth    333 

Prayer  of  St.  Paul  for  the  Church  at  Ephesus 335 

Prayer  of  St.  Paul  for  the  Church  at  Colosse 337 

Prayer  of  St.  Paul  for  the  Church  at  Thessalonica 339 


"  Think  ! — the  shadow  on  the  dial, 
For  the  nature  most  undone, 
Marks  the  passing  of  the  trial, 
Proves  the  presence  of  the  sun. 

"  Look  ! — look  up  in  starry  passion. 
To  the  throne  above  the  spheres, 
Leaen  ! — the  spirit's  gravitation 
Still  must  differ  from  the  tear's. 

"  Hope  ! — with  all  the  strength  thou  ueest 
In  embracing  thy  despair ; 
Love  ! — the  earthly  love  thou,  losest 
Shall  return  to  thee  more  fair. 

"  Work  ! — make  clear  the  forest  tangling 
Of  the  wildest  stranger  land ; 
Teusx  ! — the  blessed,  deathly  angels 
Whisper, '  Sabbath  hours  at  hand.' " 


INTRODUCTION. 


"  Yea,  very  vain 
The  greatest  speed  of  all  the  souls  of  men 
Unless  they  travel  upward  to  thy  throne ; 
There  sittest  Thou,  the  satisfying  One, 
With  help  for  sins." 

The  liand  of  the  Almiglity  had  forever  closed  the 
gates  of  Eden  and  left  there  the  flaming  sword  of 
the  cherabim  to  prevent  the  return  of  our  guilty 
first  parents.  The  alluring  voice  of  the  tempter  had 
led  their  souls  into  sin,  and  as  they  wandered  forth 
to  inherit  the  earth,  cursed  for  their  sakes,  they  were 
troubled  in  the  presence  of  the  Grod  whom  they  had 
offended,  trembling  because  conscious  guilt  stood 
before  the  perfection  of  the  Almighty.  But  there 
was  a  ray  of  hope  for  their  despairing  hearts.  Satan 
had  not,  as  he  fancied,  achieved  a  permanent  tri- 
umph over  them,  or  separated  them  from  God  for- 
ever, for  while  the  wrath  of  an  offended  Deity  hung 
over  the  soul,  and  justice  cursed  it,  love  and  mercy 
lifted  it  where  it  might  breathe  the  still  air  of  heay- 

2 


14  INTRODUCTION. 


en — no  cliains  were  to  bind  the  spirit  of  ruined  man 
in  everlasting  darkness,  for  this  exiled  world  and  its 
inmates  were  objects  of  God's  infinite  love,  man's 
restoration  had  been  a  thought  hidden  in  the  eternal 
mind  before  the  world  was,  and  it  was  breathed 
into  the  human  soul  in  that  glorious  promise  which 
should  bruise  the  head  of  the  serpent,  and  open  a 
way  where  man  might  seek  and  find  the  lost  favor 
of  his  God. 

In  that  early  history  of  the  human  race  sacrifices 
were  instituted,  and  on  the  sacred  page  we  have  the 
accepted  and  the  rejected  offering;  through  the  long 
ages  that  have  rolled  away  since  then,  man  has  held 
communion  with  his  Maker,  "  there  has  been  no 
such  curse  in  the  calender  of  time  as  a  day  without 
prayer" — 

"  Earth  and  heaven  hold  commune  day  and  night ; 
There's  not  a  wind  but  bears  upon  its  wing 
The  messages  of  God." 

"  There  is  a  link  of  communication  between  the 
High  and  Holy  One  that  inhabiteth  eternity,  and 
the  heart  of  the  contrite  in  which  he  delighteth  to 
dwell."  Between  our  present  earthly  and,  we  trust, 
our  future  heavenly  home,  God  has  estabhshed  a 
telegraph,  free  to  us  all ;  it  bears  not  to  the  soul  of 
man  sad  messages  of  sorrow  to  clothe  him  in  sack- 
cloth and  bathe  him  in  tears ;  no !  its  tidings  are 
from  a  better  land  where  sin  has  no  entrance  and 


INTRODUCTIOISr.  15 


sorrow  is  unknown;  they  are  answers  of  a  kind 
father  to  his  children's  call  for  help  and  strength  in 
their  life  journey. 

God  has  seen  fit  to  preserve  in  his  holy  word  the 
prayers  of  many  of  his  children ;  the  patriarchs  and 
prophets  spake  as  they  were  fa'oved  by  God,  but 
they  like  us  were  mortal,  sent  forward  on  a  long  and 
tedious  pilgrimage,  called  to  battle  with  the  same 
inborn  corruptions  and  outward  temptations  with 
which  we  are  called  to  struggle;  they  filled  their 
inch  of  time,  and  passed  as  we  are  passing,  onward 
to  meet  our  God  and  Judge.  We  have  carefully 
gathered  from  the  Bible  the  "recorded  prayers" 
and  their  answers ;  we  would  show  you  where  lay 
the  creature's  strength — would  remind  you  by  them, 
that  the  same  mercy-seat  is  now  open  before  you,  at 
which  those  holy  men  were  so  often  found.  You 
will  learn  a  lesson  here  that  God  dwelleth  not  in 
temples  made  with  hands.  He  whom  the  heaven  of 
heavens  cannot  contain  is  calling  each  one  to  his 
mercy-seat;  it  is  found  equally  in  that  house  of 
prayer  where  with  one  heart  and  voice  our  cloud  of 
incense  is  wafted  upward,  and  in  the  cottage  of  the 
poor  man,  where  no  eye  but  God's  is  watching,  and 
no  ear  but  his  hears. 

It  is  then  the  duty  of  all  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  high  and  holy  privilege  of  prayer,  for  we  have 
the  promise  of  the  immutable  Jehovah,  that  not  in 
vain  shall  we  enter  his  council-chamber.  We  would 


16  INTRODUCTION. 


draw  the  attention  of  all  to  the  recorded  prayers  of 
the  Bible — to  their  simplicity  and  earnestness — and 
would  point  out  to  the  believer  what  God  called 
true  devotion  ;  would  lead  you  to  see,  by  His  help, 
that  the  poor  sacrifice  so  many -of  you  are  now 
making  statedly  at  his  altar,  must  not  be  dignified 
by  the  name  of  prayer ;  that  you  may  no  longer  call 
yourselves  in  his  presence  "  miserable,  blind,  and 
naked,"  when  there  is  no  tear  of  sorrow,  and  no 
sigh  over  the  conceit  of  your  hearts.  In  the  prayers 
of  Abram  and  Isaac,  and  all  those  men  who  walked 
with  God,  you  will  learn  the  Almighty  accepts  no 
such  empty  sacrifice  as  yours. 

"  He  requires  fruits  of  more  pleasing  savor, 
From  his  seed  sown  with  contrition  in  the  heart." 

The  spirit  in  which  most  of  these  prayers  are 
breathed  is  child-like ;  they  are  uttered  thoughts  to 
Him  who  is  not  only  able  but  willing  to  satisfy ; 
they  are  the  opening  of  the  heart  to  God  with  its 
simplest  as  well  as  largest  desire,  uttered  with  direct- 
ness and  earnestness. 

Oh,  learn  from  these  prayers  to  walk  with  God  as 
they  walked  who  have  fallen  asleep ;  learn  to  live 
on  earth  and  breathe  in  heaven.  Oh,  make  the  way 
to  his  mercy-seat  a  worn  and  beaten  track,  talk 
daily  and  hourly  with  God ;  then  all  your  desires, 
your  hopes,  your  affections,  shall  be  centered  in 
Him,  and  as  we  have  sought  to  purify  them  by 


INTRODUCTION.  17 


prayer,  so  shall  He  who  regardeth  the  faintest  whis- 
per in  his  ear,  take  us  when  the  scenes  of  earth 
have  faded,  where  we  shall  be  satisfied — where  all 
the  eager,  anxious  questions  of  our  thinking  minds 
shall  be  answered,  our  desires  all  gratified,  and 
every  care  lost  in  the  bosom  of  God. 


THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 


€^t  <t>l'ii  Cutnmeni 


A  PEAYER  OF   ABRAM. 

The  life  of  "the  father  of  the  faithful"  was 
chequered  and  eventful ;  although  he  is  not  intro- 
duced to  our  notice  till  his  seventy-fifth  year,  yet 
we  meet  him  as  the  friend  of  God,  and  are  able  to 
follow  him  through  many  sad  and  bitter  trials.  At 
times  an  exile  and  wanderer,  homeless  and  house- 
less, we  find  him,  everywhere  and  under  every  cir- 
cumstance, rearing  an  altar  to  God,  and  calling  upon 
him  for  strength  and  support.  When  the  following 
prayer  was  made  by  Abram,  he  was  rich  and  re- 
spected, a  conqueror  over  his  enemies,  a  blessing  to 
his  friends ;  his  life's  work  seemed  almost  over,  and 
he  felt  death  was  not  very  far  distant.  He  contem- 
plated his  present  position,  and  as  his  mind  rested 
upon  his  wealth,  there  was  no  regret  in  his  heart 
that  he  must  leave  it  behind  him.     Oh,  ?io,  his  treas- 


ABRAM.  19 

lire  in  heaven  was  far  greater  to  his  eye  of  faith. 
Still  there  Avas  a  sorrow  in  his  bosom  that  not  one 
of  his  own  name  might  inherit  his  worldly  jjosses- 
sions,  but  they  must  descend  to  the  steward  of  his 
household. 

In  the  language  of  the  prayer,  and  from  what  we 
learn  of  the  character  of  Abram,  we  are  satisfied  his 
desire  was  not  the  merely  natural  one,  for  he  re- 
joiced in  the  coming  Saviour,  and  was  ready  at  the 
command  of  God  to  sacrifice  the  son  for  whom  he 
had  prayed,  and  was  one  who  at  the  call  of  duty 
had  ever  been  ready  to  give  up  home  and  friends, 
firmly  relying  on  the  promises  of  the  Almighty. 
Nothing  seemed  for  any  length  of  time  to  disturb 
the  steady  faith  of  his  soul ;  but  now  and  then  in  his 
eventful  life,  we  see  the  slight  temptation  prevailing 
when  the  greater  were  overcome ;  in  the  firmest  be- 
liever we  sometimes  see  the  weakest  man.  God  in 
his  answer  to  this  prayer  does  not  check  the  ardor 
or  seeming  impatience  of  Abram,  but  promises  a 
speedy  fulfillment  of  all  his  wishes,  even  a  son,  the 
progenitor  after  the  flesh  of  the  blessed  Saviour. 
"  The  sincere  Bible  reader  is  always  gratified  when 
he  remembers,  that  here  is  the  model  of  every  re- 
ligious rite  that  has  existed  in  any  age.  Many  de- 
scribed by  profane  writers  derived  their  pattern 
from  those  mentioned  in  the  writings  of  Moses." 
It  would  be  useless  to  inquire  into  the  nature  of  the 
vision  that  appeared  to  Abraham.     Every  true  be- 


20  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

liever  feels  the  presence  of  God  in  his  heart,  and  as 
long  as  he  loves,  and  serves  Him,  he  is  visible  to  his 
spiritual  eye,  and  "  his  ear  hears  the  voice  of  the 
Lord."  The  holy  friendship  existing  between  Abra- 
ham and  his  heavenly  Father,  may  be  ours;  he 
lived  like  a  pilgrim — his  whole  life  proved  he  was 
tarrying  but  a  night.  All  that  was  earthly  of  Abram 
lies  now  in  the  dust  of  yonder  cave ;  his  spirit  is  in 
heaven — his  prayers  stored  there,  and  for  us  pre- 
served on  the  sacred  page.  The  descendants  of 
Abram  indeed  became  strangers  in  the  land  of  Ca- 
naan, and  were  there  oppressed  and  down-trodden  ; 
"a  prophecy  fore-uttered  through  the  tongues  of 
time,  ages  of  ages." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Genesis  xv. 

1  After  these  things  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  Abram 
in  a  vision,  saying,  Fear  not,  Abram :  I  am  thy  shield  and  thy 
exceeding  great  reward. 

2  And  Abram  said.  Lord  God,  what  wilt  thou  give  me,  seeing 
I  go  childless,  and  the  steward  of  my  house  is  this  Eliezer  of 
Damascus  1 

3  And  Abram  said.  Behold,  to  me  thou  has  given  no  seed: 
and,  lo,  one  born  in  my  house  is  mine  heir. 

The  Answer. — Genesis  xv. 

4  And,  behold,  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  him,  saying. 
This  shall  not  be  thine  heir ;  but  he  that  shall  come  forth  out 
of  thine  own  bowels  shall  be  thine  heir. 


ABEAHAM.  21 


5  And  he  brought  him  forth  abroad,  and  said,  Look  now 
toward  heaven,  and  tell  the  stars,  if  thou  be  able  to  number 
them :  and  he  said  unto  him  So  shall  thy  seed  be. 

7  And  he  said  unto  hira,  I  am  the  Lord  that  brought  thee 
out  of  Ur  of  the  Chaldees,  to  give  thee  this  land  to  inherit  it. 

The  Prayer  continued. 

8  And  he  said,  Lord  God,  whereby  shall  I  know  that  I  shall 
inherit  iti 

The  answer  continued. 

9  And  he  said  unto  him,  Take  me  an  heifer  of  three  years 
old,  and  a  she  goat  of  three  years  old,  and  a  ram  of  three  years 
old,  and  a  turtledove,  and  a  young  pigeon. 

13  And  he  said  unto  Abram,  Know  of  a  surety  that  thy  seed 
shall  be  a  stranger  in  a  land  that  is  not  theirs,  and  shall  serve 
them;  and  they  shall  afflict  them  four  hundred  years; 

14  And  also  that  nation,  whom  they  shall  serve,  will  I  judge 
and  afterward  shall  they  come  out  with  great  substance. 

15  And  thou  shalt  go  to  thy  fathers  in  peace;  thou  shalt  be 
buried  in  a  good  old  age. 

16  But  in  the  fourth  generation  they  shall  come  hither  again  : 
for  the  iniquity  of  the  Amorites  is  not  yet  full. 


A  PRAYER  OF  ABRAHAM  FOR  THE  CITIES  OF  THE 
PLAIN. 

Most  nobly  had  Abram  given  Lot  the  choice  o 
his  home,  and  the  fertile  plain  of  Sodom  was  now 
his   dwelling-place.     Wickedness   abounded   there, 
and  the  Lord  had  made  known  his  intention  to 
Abraham  of  destroying  the  "  cities  of  the  plain." 


22  THE  PEAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

Abraliam  is  alarmed  at  the  intimation,  and  knows  it 
is  no  small  sin  that  has  thus  called  down  the  terrors 
of  the  Almighty.  There  are  precious  souls  in  those 
doomed  cities,  and  Abram  pleads  at  the  throne  of 
the  Most  High  for  them.  Every  circumstance  con- 
nected with  the  intercession  of  Abraham  is  interest- 
ing to  the  believer:  his  unselfishness  toward  his 
nephew,  his  earnest  affection  for  him  after  his  choice 
of  a  home  in  Sodom,  unfolds  to  us  the  heart  of  a 
humble  follower  of  God,  seeking  not  his  own  good, 
but  the  glory  of  the  Father  and  the  true  welfare  of 
man.  Abraham  comes  to  God  in  prayer,  with  the 
assurance  that  the  great  Judge  of  all  will  do  right ; 
there  is  a  sacred  ingenuity  in  the  argument  which 
he  uses  in  his  intercession — he  does  not  ask  the 
Lord  to  spare  the  wicked  for  their  own  sakes,  but 
for  the  pious  souls  that  are  in  the  cities.  The  prom- 
ises made  by  God  to  the  successively  reduced  num- 
ber of  the  righteous  for  whom  this  prayer  was  made, 
encourages  us  in  the  duty  of  interceding  for  others. 
The  effectual,  fervent  prayer  availeth  much,  and 
brings  to  our  own  hearts  a  blessing,  even  if  in  our 
view  God  has  not  directly  answered  us.  While 
Abraham  earnestly  pleads  with  God,  his  soul  is  full 
of  humility ;  I  am  a  mortal  in  the  presence  of  the 
great  Creator,  I  have  nothing  to  give  but  all  to  ask ; 
this  is  his  spirit,  as  he  owns  himself  but  dust  and 
ashes.  The  intercessory  prayers  of  Christians  are 
destined  instruments  in  the  hand  of  God  for  bring- 


ABRAHAM.  23 


ing  on  the  glorious  time  when  all  the  earth  shall 
know  him  ;  each  one  as  it  is  breathed  in  the  ear  of 
God,  is  dearer  to  him  than  the  brightest  effort  of 
unhallowed  genius — although  this  may  be  derided 
by  the  world  as  a  reverj,  and  the  unbeliever  may 
talk  to  us  of  mistaken  zeal. 

The  Prayer  and  its  Ansioer,  as  recorded. — Gen.  xviii. 

23  And  Abraham  drew  near,  and  said,  Wilt  thou  also  destroy 
the  righteous  with  the  wicked  ? 

24  Peradventure  there  be  fifty  righteous  within  the  city: 
wilt  thou  also  destroy  and  not  spare  the  place  for  the  fifty 
righteous  that  are  therein? 

25  That  be  far  from  thee  to  do  after  this  manner,  to  slay  the 
righteous  with  the  wicked :  and  that  the  righteous  should  be  as 
the  wicked,  that  be  far  from  thee :  Shall  not  the  Judge  of  all  the 
earth  do  right? 

26  And  the  Lord  said.  If  I  find  in  Sodom  fifty  righteous 
within  the  city,  then  I  will  spare  all  the  place  for  their  sakes. 

27  And  Abraham  answered  and  said,  Behold  now,  I  have 
taken  upon  me  to  speak  unto  the  Lord,  which  am  but  dust  and 
ashes: 

28  Peradventure  there  shall  lack  five  of  the  fifty  righteous: 
wilt  thou  destroy  all  the  city  for  lack  of  five  ?  And  he  said,  If 
I  find  there  forty  and  five,  I  will  not  destroy  it. 

29  And  he  spake  unto  him  yet  again,  and  said,  Peradventure 
there  shall  be  forty  found  there.  And  he  said,  I  will  not  do  it 
for  forty's  sake. 

30  And  he  said  unto  him,  Oh  let  not  the  Lord  be  angry,  and 
I  will  speak :  Peradventure  there  shall  thirty  be  found  there. 
And  he  said,  I  will  not  do  it,  if  1  find  thirty  there. 


2J:  THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

31  And  he  said,  Behold  now,  I  have  taken  upon  me  to  speak 
unto  the  Lord:  Peradventure  there  shall  be  twenty  found 
there.     And  he  said,  1  will  not  destroy  it  for  twenty's  sake. 

32  And  he  said,  Oh  let  not  the  Lord  be  angry,  and  I  uil 
speak  yet  but  this  once :  Peradventure  ten  shall  be  found  there. 
And  he  said,  I  will  not  destroy  it  for  ten's  sake. 


A  PRAYER  OF  ABRAHAM'S  SERVANT. 

Not  only  was  Abraham  himself  a  man  of  prayer, 
but  his  family  and  those  of  his  household  seem  to 
have  breathed  his  spirit.  Isaac  his  son  is  mentioned 
as  one  who  loved  to  meditate,  and  we  find  him  at 
the  evening  hour  communing  with  God ;  "  mistrust- 
ing self,  he  leaned  on  heaven."  Sarah,  the  beloved 
wife  of  Abraham,  slept  in  death ;  grief  rested  heavi- 
ly on  the  heart  of  Isaac,  for  his  mother  was  one 
whom  he  had  loved  and  cherished.  He  appealed  to 
his  father  Abraham  for  direction  and  advice,  in  a 
matter  involving  his  temporal  happiness,  and,  no 
doubt,  sought  the  Lord  to  guide  the  servant  whom 
Abraham  sent  to  the  fair  Rebekah.  In  the  choice 
of  a  wife  for  his  son,  Abraham  is  not  influenced  by 
worldly  considerations;  he  would  choose  for  him  a 
virtuous  and  religious  companion — with  whom  he 
could  go  down  the  vale  of  life,  with  one  prayer, 


Abraham's  servant.  25 

one  God,  and  one  heart.  The  servant  whom  he 
sends  to  meet  the  chosen  one  is  a  man  fearing  the 
Lord,  and  in  all  his  ways  acknowledging  him. 
While  on  his  journey  he  prays.  Affectionate  to  his 
master,  faithful  to  his  trust,  with  the  blessing  of  God 
he  is  ready  for  duty ;  and  so  should  it  be  ever  with 
■us — let  us  do  nothing  in  our  own  strength  ;  as  long 
as — 

"Evil  walks  the  ■world  unsleeping, 
Evil  sleeps  within  the  soul," 

we  need  the  protection  of  our  heavenly  Father ; 
prayer  must  nerve  us  for  duty,  prayer  must  teach  us 
to  be  faithful.  Scarcely  is  the  petition  made  when 
the  servant  beholds  its  answer,  in  the  form  of  Ee- 
bekah  at  the  well.  In  the  whole  of  this  scene  we 
see  the  guiding  hand  of  God.  There  is  no  want  of 
modesty  in  Eebekah — a  trait  so  essential  to  perfect 
female  character — but  all  the  simplicity  of  nature. 
God,  in  answer  to  prayer,  prepared  the  hearts  of 
Isaac  and  Eebekah  to  realize,  when  they  meet,  that 
union  of  soul,  of  which  the  cold,  calculating  world 
knows  nothing — a  union  which  only  heaven  and 
nature  teaches,  and  God  will  hallow — 

"  Making  hearts,  like  double  stars, 
One  in  their  bright  eflfect."  . 

It  is  not  well  or  man  to  walk  through  life  alone  ; 
Isaac  felt  the  want  of  gentle  companionship — felt  the 
want  of  his  mother's  love.     "  That  wild  flower,  the 


26  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

soul,  with  its  tendrils  the  affections,"  needs  the 
training  of  the  planter,  and  while  they  twine  round 
the  frail  supports  of  earth,  must  also  twine  upward  ; 
and,  would  we  make  them  ready  for  a  purer  soil 
we  must  bring  them  where  the  air  of  heaven  will 
fan  and  the  dew  of  prayer  moisten. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Genesis  xxiv. 

11  And  he  made  his  camels  to  kneel  down  without  the  city 
by  a  well  of  water  at  the  time  of  the  evening,  even  the  time  that 
women  go  out  to  draw  water. 

12  And  he  said,  O  Lord  God  of  my  master  Abraham,  I  pray 
thee,  send  me  good  speed  this  day,  and  show  kindness  unto  my 
master  Abraham. 

13  Behold,  I  stand  here  by  the  well  of  water ;  and  the  daugh- 
ters of  the  men  of  the  city  come  out  to  draw  water : 

14  And  let  it  come  to  pass,  that  the  damsel  to  whom  I  shall 
say.  Let  down  thy  pitcher, I  pray  thee,  that  I  may  drink;  and 
she  shall  say,  Drink,  and  I  will  give  thy  camels  drink  also :  let 
the  same  be  she  that  thou  hast  appointed  for  thy  servant  Isaac ; 
and  thereby  shi.ll  I  know  that  thou  hast  showed  kindness  unto 
my  master. 

The  Anstver. — Genesis  xxiv. 

15  And  it  came  to  pass  betore  he  had  done  speaking,  that, 
behold,  Kebekah  came  out,  who  was  born  to  Bethuel,  son  of 
Milcah,  the  wife  of  Nahor,  Abraham's  brother,  with  her  pitcher 
upon  her  shoulder. 

16  And  the  damsel  was  very  fair  to  look  upon,  a  virgin,  nei- 
ther had  any  man  known  her;  and  she  went  down  to  the  well, 
and  filled  her  pitcher,  and  came  up 


JACOB.  27 

17  And  the  servant  ran  to  meet  her  and  said,  Let  me,  I  pray 
thee,  drink  a  little  water  of  thy  pitcher, 

61  And  Rebekuh  arose  and  her  damsels,  and  they  rode  upon 
the  camels,  and  followed  the  man :  and  the  servant  took  Re- 
bekah,  and  went  his  way. 

67  And  Isaac  brought  her  into  his  mother  Sarah's  tent,  and 
took  Rebekah,  and  she  became  his  wife  ;  and  he  loved  her 
and  Isaac  was  comforted  after  his  mother's  death. 


A  PRAYER  OF  JACOB  FOR  DELIVERANCE  FROM  ESAU. 

The  first  impression  made  by  tlie  cliaracter  of 
Jacob,  as  recorded  in  tlie  Bible,  is  far  from  favor- 
able. There  is  much  enmity  existing  between  him- 
self and  his  brother  Esau.  We  meet  him  under  a 
great  variety  of  circumstances,  the  subject  of  many 
deep  and  heavy  trials,  hated  by  one  who  should 
have  been  nearer  than  a  brother,  an  exile  and  wan- 
derer, deserted  and  alone  in  the  plain  of  Bethel ; 
when  poor,  the  object  of  persecution,  when  prosper- 
ous, the  victim  of  the  envious.  There  is  not  one  of 
all  the  patriarchs  whose  path  lay  so  thickly  strewn 
with  sorrows,  many  of  them,  too,  the  bitter  fruits  of 
the  seed  of  his  own  wild  sowing.  The  plan  of 
divine  providence  had  been  imparted  to  Jacob  in 
that  vision  of  the  night,  in  that  dream  from  which 
he  awoke  filled  with  the  presence  of  the  Lord — a 
holy  sense  which  enabled  him  to  endure  with  sub- 


28  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE  BIBLE. 

mission  almost  un interrupted  hardship,  and  made 
his  death  a  happy  and  quiet  release. 

Jacob  was  about  to  meet  Esau  at  the  head  of  an 
army  of  four  hundred  men.  Knowing  he  had  given 
his  brother  cause  for  resentment,  he  had  much  rea- 
son to  dread  the  encounter,  and  has  recourse  to 
prayer ;  with  all  his  anxiety  and  evil  foreboding  he 
comes  to  GTod ;  we  have  reason  to  infer  that  a  whole 
night  was  passed  in  communion  with  his  Maker  ; 
his  prayer  was  earnest  and  anxious.  It  is  thus  God 
likes  to  be  importuned,  and  in  this  prayer  we  are 
taught  the  nature  of  true,  heartfelt  petition.  God 
does  not  answer  this  prayer  as  we  would  be  led  to 
suppose ;  he  does  not  destroy  the  gathered  hosts,  or 
send  some  calamity  on  the  brother's  head ;  he  pours 
into  the  heart  of  Jacob  a  right  spirit  so  that  he 
may  turn  the  wrath  of  Esau  into  feelings  of  peace. 
There  is  much  wisdom  displayed  in  all  the  plans  of 
Jacob ;  humbled  and  subdued  he  uses  the  language 
best  calculated  to  pacify  his  brother ;  it  is,  "  Thy 
servant,"  and  "My  lord;"  and  they  meet  as  friends. 
The  prayer  though  long  and  importunate  was 
answered.  God  requires  this  spirit,  and  will  finally 
yield  to  it.     We  must  be — 

"  "Watching,  waiting,  hoping,  yearning, 
'  With  the  lamp  well  trimmed  and  burning." 

The  sign  given  to  Jacob  convinced  him  of  God's 
approbation  of  his  faith  and  perseverance,  and 
showed  him  how  frail  man  was  in  his  own  strength 


ISRAEL.  29 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Genesis  xxxii. 

9  And  Jacob  said,  O  God  of  my  father  Abraham,  and  God  of 
my  father  Isaac,  the  Lord  which  saidst  unto  me,  Return  unto 
thy  country,  and  to  thy  kindred,  and  I  will  deal  well  with  thee  : 

10  I  am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of  all  the  mercies,  and  of  all 
the  truth,  which  thou  hast  showed  unto  thy  servant ;  for  with 
my  staff  I  passed  over  this  Jordan;  and  now  I  am  become  two 
bands. 

11  Deliver  me,  I  pray  thee,  from  the  hand  of  my  brother, 
from  the  hand  of  Esau :  for  I  fear  him,  lest  he  will  come  and 
smite  me,  and  the  mother  with  the  children. 

12  And  thou  saidst,  I  will  surely  do  thee  good,  and  make  thy 
seed  as  the  sand  of  the  sea,  which  cannot  be  numbered  for  mul- 
titude. 

The  Answer. — Genesis  xxxiii. 

1  And  Jacob  lifted  up  his  eyes  and  looked,  and,  behold,  Esau 
came,  and  with  him  four  hundred  men.  And  he  divided  the 
children  unto  Leah,  and  unto  Rachel,  and  unto  the  two  hand- 
maids. 

2  And  he  put  the  handmaids  and  their  children  foremost,  and 
Leah  and  her  children  after,  and  Rachel  and  Joseph  hindermost. 

3  And  he  passed  over  before  them,  and  bowed  himself  to  the 
ground  seven  times,  until  he  came  near  to  his  brother. 

4  And  Esau  ran  to  meet  him,  and  embraced  him,  and  fell  on 
his  neck  and  kissed  him  :  and  they  wept. 


ISRAEL'S  PRATER  FOR  GOD'S  BLESSING  ON  JOSEPH, 
EPHRAIM,  AND  MANASSEH. 

Joseph  was  the  long-expected  son  of  Eachel,  the 
wife  of  Jacob,  or  Israel.     Ephraim   and  Manasseh 


80  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

were  Joseph's  children,  and  the  scene  in  which  the 
following  prayer  is  introduced  is  one  of  peculiar 
interest  to  the  believer,  and  will  teach  him  to  trust 
more  firmly  in  the  promises  of  God.  The  feeble- 
ness of  old  age  had  stolen  over  the  form  of  the 
patriarch  Jacob ;  his  sight  is  dimmed  by  time,  but 
the  eyes  of  his  soul  look  out  clearly,  through  the 
shadows  of  the  future,  far  into  a  "  glorious  day,"  in 
a  coming  age.  The  life  of  the  old  man  is  drawing 
to  a  close.  He  had  suffered  as  one  suffers  to  whom 
God  gives  deep  and  strong  affections,  but  through 
all  his  trials  he  had  learned,  "the  foolishness  of  God 
was  wiser  than  men,  and  his  weakness  stronger;" 
his  hand,  like  every  human  hand,  had  clasped  some 
fleeting  shadows,  but  it  rested  now  where  earth 
could  never  loosen  it,  in  the  firm  grasp  of  the 
Almighty.  Joseph,  the  wise,  the  humhle,  the  discreet^ 
the  attractive  son  of  the  never-forgotten  Eachel,  has 
come  with  his  children  to  receive  a  father's  blessing, 
a  father's  parting  words  ere  he  sleeps  in  death. 
Guided  by  heaven  the  hand  of  Jacob  rests  first  on 
the  head  of  the  younger  as  he  asks  the  protecting 
care  of  God  to  be  over  and  above  the  loved  ones 
before  him;  he  prays  that  they  may  inherit  the 
privileges  and  walk  in  the  footsteps  of  their  pro- 
genitors, and  that  the  name  Israel,  that  name  of  so 
much  import,  might  descend  upon  them,  and  they 
might  be  raised  to  their  hereditary  rank  and  honor. 
God  guided  the  spirit  of  Jacob  while  he  prayed, 


ISEAEL.  31 

tauglit  him  what  to  ask  for,  and  how  to  ask ;  thus 
instructed  he  knew  the  will  of  God  respecting  those 
who  were  to  come  after  him,  the  children  of  Eachel 
now  kneeling  before  him.  The  patriarch's  work 
is  nearly  over;  in  his  dying  hours  his  voice  is 
raised  to  God,  bearing  testimony  to  others  that  the 
"  angel "  had  redeemed  his  soul  from  evil — as  he 
will  the  souls  of  all  who  call  upon  him  with  the 
faith  of  Jacob.  A  Christian  deathbed,  the  last 
prayers  of  the  dying  believer  are  themes  on  which 
we  love  to  linger,  as  we  walk  through  the  world. 
They  strengthen  our  faith  and  encourage  our  totter- 
ing footsteps  over  its  rough  places.  Teach  us  to 
pray  on,  pray  ever,  till  our  own  day  draw  to  a 
close,  and  our  spirits  rest, 

"  Like  some  deep  lake  upon  a  mountain  summit, 
High  above  cloud  and  storm  of  life  like  this,. 
All  peace  and  power!' 


The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Genesis  xlviii. 

15  And  he  blessed  Joseph,  and  said,  God,  before  whom  my 
fathers  Abraham  and  Isaac  did  walk,  the  God  which  fed  me  all 
my  life  long  unto  this  day, 

16  The  angel  which  redeemed  me  from  all  evil,  bless  the 
lads ;  and  let  my  name  be  named  on  them,  and  the  name  of  my 
fathers  Abraham  and  Isaac ;  and  let  them  grow  into  a  multitude 
in  the  midst  of  the  earth. 

20  And  he  blessed  them  that  day,  saying,  In  thee  shall  Israel 


32  THE  PKAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

bless,  saying,  God  make  thee  as  Ephraim  and  as  Manasseh : 
and  he  set  Ephraim  before  Manasseh, 

21  And  Israel  said  unto  Joseph,  Behold,  I  die:  but  God  shall 
be  with  you,  and  bring  you  again  unto  the  land  of  your  fothers. 


PRAYER  OF  MOSES. 

He  who  came  this  time  in  prayer  was  Moses,  one 
whose  spirit  rested  on  God,  who  amidst  the  corrup- 
tions of  an  idolatrous  court,  and  surrounded  by 
worldly  allurements,  was  still  the  meekest  man. 
There  shone  a  light  in  the  heart  of  Moses  which 
God  had  kindled  there,  one  which  taught  him  then 
as  it  has  taught  others  since,  the  emptiness  of  earth's 
distinctions,  and  that  true  goodness  alone  is  true 
greatness.  Filled  with  contempt  for  honors  that  he 
knew  could  never  satisfy  his  soul,  trusting  in  God, 
Moses  had  quitted  a  high  station  in  life,  and  retired 
to  a  quiet  retreat,  where  he  might  the  better  culti- 
vate his  friendship  towards  God,  and  fulfill  the  de- 
signs of  Providence  in  regard  to  his  future.  At  the 
age  of  eighty  he  is  invested  with  a  high  commission, 
and  called  to  an  enterprise  which  it  required  all  his 
courage  and  energy  to  undertake.  The  burning 
bush  in  which  the  presence  of  the  Lord  was  mani- 
fested to  Moses  at  this  time  was  emblematical ;  it 
represented  the  state  of  the  church  in  Egj^pt,  in  the 
midst  of  flames  but  not  consumed,  oppressed,  but 


MOSES.  33 

not  forgotten   by  fhe  great  /  Am.     Methinks    all 
rashness  in  approaching  God  is  here  discouraged, 
while  at  the  same  time  friendship  is  tendered  to  all 
who  put  aside  worldliness,  and  come  as  all  should 
who  come  to  talk  with  the  great  Jehovah.     The 
mercy-seat  is  holy  ground ;  cast  off  thy  jealousies, 
thy  strife,  thy  pride,  thy   bitter  feelings,  and  God 
will  reveal  himself  to  thee.    Our  friendship  with  the 
Almighty  must  be  cultivated  as  was  that  of  Moses ; 
life  is  given  us  that  we  may  not  at  its  close  first 
begin  to  know  Him.     We  must  learn  early  to  trust, 
and  if  we  remain  steadfast  we   shall  find  him  a 
friend  who  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother.     Moses, 
the  trembler  at  Horeb,  endured  the  presence  of  God 
forty  days  and  nights  in  Sinai.     As  we  have  come 
more  particularly  to  notice  the  nature  of  his  petition 
at   this  time,  we  must  carefully  examine  his   feel- 
ings.    There  seems  to  have  been  a  lurking  of  pride 
in  the  good  man's  breast,  which  to  the  careless  ob- 
server might  appear  like  humility ;  there  is  not  an 
entire  relinquishment  of  will  to  that  of  God,  for 
perhaps  the  memory  of  Moses  had  treasured  the 
question  so  rudely  put  to  him  forty  long  years  back, 
by  the  same  people  he  was  now  sent  to  teach,  "  who 
made  thee  a  ruler?"     He  doubts  the  success  of  his 
undertaking,  and  calls  upon  his  Father  in  heaven, 
while  laboring  under  these  doubts.     At  this  time  he 
does  not  seem  willing  to  go  out,  not  caring  whither 
he  went,  because  sent  by  the  great  Jehovah — who 


34  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE, 

bears  with,  him,  and  in  one  short  sentence  ex- 
hibits the  fullness  of  the  Godhead,  "I  am  that  I 
am ;"  for  this  "was  the  seal  he  gave  to  Moses,  as  he 
sent  him  to  his  afflicted  people.  The  great  God 
bears  with  our  frowardness  and  often  seems  to  over- 
come evil  with  good ;  doubting  and  irresolute,  Moses 
urges  difficulty  after  difficulty  in  this  one  thing  he 
is  called  to  perform ;  but  God  still  showed  patience 
and  forbearance,  promised  to  fill  his  mouth  with 
arguments,  and  teach  him  what  he  should  say.  In 
the  answer  to  this  prayer  we  see  the  mercy  of  God 
is  far  above  his  judgments,  even  though  his  anger 
was  kindled  against  Moses ;  Aaron  his  brother  is 
brought  out  of  Egypt — of  whom  it  is  written  that 
could  "speak  well;"  strengthened  and  stimulated 
by  each  other's  prayers,  they  go  on  their  way  toge- 
ther, with  their  message  from  the  great  Jehovah. 

The  Prarjer  as  recorded. — Exodus  iii. 

13  And  Moses  said  unto  God,  Behold,  when  I  come  unto  the 
children  of  Israel,  and  shall  say  unto  them,  The  God  of  your 
fixthers  hath  sent  me  unto  you ;  and  they  shall  say  to  me,  What 
is  his  name  ?  what  shall  I  say  unto  them  ? 

The  Answer. — Exodus  iii. 

14  And  God  said  unto  Moses,  I  AM  THAT  I  AM:  and  he 
said.  Thus  shalt  thou  say  unto  the  children  of  Israel,  I  AM  hath 
sent  me  unto  you. 


MOSES.  35 


PRAYER  OF  MOSES  FOR  "WATER  FOR  THE  CHILDREIT 
OF  ISRAEL. 

"We  meet  Moses  at  the  time  of  this  prayer  marcli- 
ing  with  the  hosts  of  Israel  from  Egypt  to  Canaan, 
and  still  looking  upward  to  that  God  who  had  led 
them  thus  far,  whose  stores  are  never  exhausted, 
and  whose  love  is  boundless.  Peevish  and  weary, 
the  children  of  Israel  complain  bitterly  to  Moses ; 
escaped  from  servitude,  supplied  with  manna,  led 
through  the  parted  waters  of  the  sea,  they  yet  forget 
God,  and  now  put  to  a  severe  trial  the  meekness 
and  forbearance  of  their  leader.  But  in  this  hour 
Moses  forgets  not  his  great  Guide ;  he  has  a  refuge 
when  every  other  fails,  and  the  rod  which  had 
bruised  and  broken  Egypt  is  now  used  to  restore 
the  thirsty  spirit  of  those  murmuring  children.  God 
heard  the  prayer  of  Moses ;  the  stream  that  flowed 
from  that  flinty  rock  accompanied  their  whole  way 
through  the  wilderness ;  in  it  was  a  type  of  Him 
whose  precious  blood  was  shed  for  a  dying  race — 
the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Exodus  xvii. 

4  And  Moses  cried  unto  the  Lord,  saying,  What  shall  I  do 
unto  this  people "?  they  be  almost  ready  to  stone  me. 

The  Ansioer. — Exodus  xvii. 
6  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Go  on  before  the  people 


36  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE    BIBLE. 

and  take  with  thee  of  the  elders  of  Israel ;  and  thy  rod,  where- 
with thou  smotest  the  river,  take  in  thine  hand,  and'go. 

6  Behold,  I  will  stand  before  thee  there  upon  the  rock  in 
Horeb ;  and  thou  shalt  smite  ihe  rock,  and  there  shall  come 
water  out  of  it,  that  the  people  may  drink.  And  Moses  did  so 
in  the  sight  of  the  elders  of  Israel. 


PRAYER  OF  MOSES  TO  AVERT  THE  DIVINE  ANGER. 

Moses  interceded  for  his  people  with  an  agony  of 
mind;  he  would  not  descend  from  the  mount  till 
God  had  promised  mercy,   although  the  voice  of 
that  God  had  pronounced  his  people  wicked  and 
rebellious.     In  this  prayer  there  is  "the  outgushing 
of  a  soul  that  lay  near  to  the  throne,"  the  earnest- 
ness of  one  who  feels  the  greatness  and  importance  of 
his  desire.  With  an  idea  of  the  possible  desertion  of 
the  Almighty  at  this  trying  time,  Moses  refers  to  the 
promises  made  to  the  fathers,  especially  those  which 
regarded  the  multitude  of  their  race,  and  remembers 
that  the  Egyptians  and  the    neighboring    nations 
regarded  the  recent  conflict  as  one  testing  the  power 
of  the  God  whom  Israel  trusted.    He  prays  to  "  The 
Lord,  the  Lord  God  merciful  and  gracious,  long 
suffering,   and   abundant    in   goodness   and   truth; 
keeping  mercy  for  thousands,   forgiving   iniquity, 
transgression,  and  sin."     Moses  prayed  with  a  faith 
that  knew  no  doubt ;  his  prayer  prevailed,  if  not  to 


MOSE'^.                                              37 
« 

prevent  Grod's  displeasure  at  sin,  at  least  to  stay  his 
hand  in  the  punishment.  The  language  in  this 
answer  is  adtlressed  to  the  understanding  of  men : 
"  The  Lord  repented  of  the  evil  which  he  thought 
to  do  unto  his  people."  Let  us  pause,  fellow  Chris- 
tian, over'  a  pra3^er  that  is  represented  as  changing 
the  purpose  of  Omnipotence ;  let  us  look  into  the 
heart  of  him  who  addresses  the  Almighty  in  behalf 
of  his  people;  let  us  study  and  make  our  own  a 
spirit  that  could  thus  move  heaven.  This  is  attain- 
able ;  man,  puny  man,  may  have  230wer  with  God, 
and  prevail,  when  clinging  to  the  mercy-seat.  Far 
above  the  immediate  desire  of  Moses %as  a  regard 
for  the  honor  of  God's  name ;  he  was  willing  to  be- 
come as  it  were  nothing^  so  that  th6  Lord  would  be 
honored,  and  Israel  saved :  there  was  a  greatness  of 
soul  that  only  true  faith  could  give — Si  faith  which 
dictated  prayers ' 

"  That  could  rend  the  clouds, 
And  rising  through  the  dark  of  space, 
Reach  to  God's  central  throne  " — 

a  faith  which  gives  to  the  soul  of  the  believer  a 
feeling  of  "  oneness  with  God  and  heaven  " 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Exodus  xxxii. 

11  And  Moses  besought  the  Lord  his  God,  and  said,  Lord, 
why  doth  thy  wrath  wax  hot  against  thy  people,  which  thou 
hast  brought  forth  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt  with  great  power, 
and  with  a  mighty  hand  ? 


38  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

« 

12  Wherefore  should  the  Egyptians  speak,  and  say,  For 
mischief  did  he  bring  them  out,  to  slay  them  in  the  mountains, 
and  to  consume  them  from  the  fiice  of  the  earth  ?  Turn  from 
thy  fierce  wrath,  and  repent  of  this  evil  against  thy  people. 

13  Remember  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Israel,  thy  servants,  to 
whom  thou  swarest  by  thine  own  self,  and  saidst  unto  them,  I 
will  multiply  your  seed  as  the  stars  of  heaven,  and  all  this  land 
that  I  have  spoken  of  will  I  give  unto  your  seed,  and  they  shall 
inherit  it  for  ever. 

The  Answer. — Exodus  xxxii. 

14  And  the  Lord  repented^f  the  evil  which  he  thought  to  do 
unto  his  people. 


PEATER  OF  MOSES  WHEN  THE  PEOPLE  MADE  THE 
GOLDEN  CALF. 

The  prophet  still  continues  his  intercession  for 
his  people  Israel,  after  he  has  descended  from  the 
mount,  where  his  last  recorded  prayer  was  made. 
The  sound  of  revelry  had  struck  the  ear  of  the 
prophet  on  his  way,  and  as  he  approached  the  scene 
of  his  people's  wickedness,  and  beheld  the  golden 
calf,  his  heart  was  filled  with  a  just  anger — a  holy 
indignation.  Surely,  methinks  he  says  within  him- 
self, the  Lord  will  not  hear  me  on  behalf  of  so  great 
sin ;  my  people  merit  the  wrath  of  Jehovah — but  I 
know  the  value  of  intercession.     Moses  begins  his 


MOSES.  89 

petition  with  great  tenderness ;  his  "  Oh,  this  peo- 
ple," shows  us  what  was  lying  near  his  heart. 

"  One  stream  of  light  came  to  him  from  above, 
And  that  was  what  he  saw  bj,  light  of  God." 

It  guided  him  to  the  throne  again;  it  led  him  to 
Jehovah.  The  broken  sentence  in  this  petition 
brings  before  us  the  full  heart  of  the  prophet ;  he 
remembers  the  oft-repeated  sins  of  his  people ;  he 
bears  them  in  his  heart  to-  that  God,  who  is,  he  knows, 
a  God  of  justice  as  well  as  mercy;  he  obtains  a  re- 
prieve for  the  rebellious,  but  feels  that  iniquity  will 
not  go  unpunished.  It  has  been  supposed  by  some 
that  Moses  was  willing  to  renounce  his  own  hope  of 
salvation  for  what  seemed  to  be  to  him  the  greater 
glory  of  God.  In  the  language  of  another  we  would 
explain  what  we  conceive  to  be  the  prophet's  mean- 
ing :  "  Lord,  if  thy  decree  against  this  people  may 
not  be  reversed,  if  justice  demand  their  utter  exter- 
mination, let  mine  eyes  be  just  closed  in  peace,  sub- 
ject me  not  to  the  mortification  of  surviving  all  my 
nation,  and  of  enduring  the  scorn  of  our  enemies ; 
rather  take  me  out  of  the  world,  where  I  should 
lead  a  life  of  sorrow  heavier  than  death  itself." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Exodus  xxxii. 

31  And  Moses  returned  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  Ob,  this 
people  have  sinned  a  great  sin,  and  have  made  them  gods  of 
gold. 

32  Yet  now,  if  thou  wilt  forgive  their  sin — ;  and  if  not,  blot 
me,  I  pray  thee,  out  of  thy  book  which  thou  hast  written. 


40  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 


The  Ansiver. — Exodus  xxxii. 

33  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Whosoever  hath  sinned 
against  me,  him  will  I  blot  out  of  my  book. 

34  Therefore  now  go,  lead  the  people  unto  the  place  of 
which  I  have  spoken  unto  thee :  behold,  mine  Angel  shall  go 
before  thee  :  nevertheless  in  the  day  when  I  visit  I  will  visit 
their  sin  upon  them. 


PRATER  OF  MOSES  THAT  HE  MAY  SEE  THE  GLORY 
OF  T^E  LORD. 

Moses  still  knew  and  felt  the  power  of  importu- 
nate prayer.  God  had  granted  favor  after  favor, 
and,  encouraged,  he  still  prays.  God  had  hitherto 
given  to  Israel  that  symbol  of  his  presence,  the 
pillar  of  cloud  and  fire,  but  because  of  their  sin  and 
rebellion  he  has  removed  it  and  left  them  to  choose 
out  their  own  paths.  The  thought  of  being  deserted 
by  the  Almighty,  of  being  estranged  from  him  who 
had  led  them  thus  far,  filled  the  soul  of  Moses  with 
sorrow.  He  knew  his  people  had  deservedly  lost 
the  favor  of  God,  but  he  earnestly  pleads  the  return 
of  it,  pleads  like  one  who  will  not  be  denied ;  his 
prayer  is  full  of  love  to  Israel  and  zeal  for  the  honor 
of  God ;  it  is  one  that  prevailed ;  his  spirit  was 
calmed  by  the  divine  answer;  the  promise,  "My 
presence  shall  go  with  thee  and  I  will  give  thee 
.rest,"  encouraged  Moses ;  he  would  still  inquire  and 


MOSES.  41 

implore  knowledge  of  the  Most  High.  The  be- 
lieving soul  is  never  satisfied  with  present  attain- 
ments in  divine  life.  Moses  had  not  forgotten  the 
glorj  displayed  to  him  in  the  bush  at  Horeb,  the 
still  more  awful  glory  at  Sinai,  his  close  communion 
when  in  the  tabernacle ;  he  had  met  the  Lord  as  it 
were  face  to  face,  but  he  has  the  spirit  of  an  earnest 
seeker ;  he  has  the  desire  which  angels  are  not  re- 
proved for  indulging — a  desire  to  see  more  of  the 
glory  of  the  Almighty.  Man  in  his  present  state 
could  never  bear  a  full  discovery  of  the  glory  of 
God ;  to  have  been  answered  according  to  the  letter 
of  his  desire  would  have  proved  fatal  to  the  prophet. 
The  Lord  returns  an  answer  suitable  to  his  condi- 
tion ;  he  shows  his  glory  to  him  by  filling  his  soul 
with  a  sense  of  his  goodness^  j)oints  out  to  him  what 
was  presumptuous  in  his  prayer  and  approves  what 
was  right  God  holds  back,  in  compassion  to  our 
weakness,  the  face  of  his  throne,  and  draws  before 
it  his  cloud,  as  if  to  shield  us  from  its  too  dazzling 
glory ;  our  mortal  eyes  could  never  behold  it  and 
live.  He  covers  us  with  his  protecting  hand  while 
he  is  passing  by,  and  his  presence  can  only  be 
known  by  the  tokens  he  leaves  in  every  renewed 
heart — a  heart  which  will  ever  be  bursting  with  the 
desire  expressed  in  this  prayer  of  the  prophet,  to 
know  more  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord.  To  enjoy  the 
vision  of  God's  goodness  as  it  passed  by,  Moses  re- 
ascended  the  mount  to  draw  nigh  to  God ;  he  went 


42  THE    PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

to  meet  him  as  a  friend — one  tliat  could  protect  him 
from  himself  as  from  his  worst  enemy.  "Man,  im- 
perfect, is  momently  sinning."  There  is  provided  a 
cleft  in  the  rock  for  every  soul — a  I'efuge  of  safety ; 
it  is  a  type  of  Him  who  is  a  covert  from  the  tem- 
pest, and  a  hiding-place  from  the  storm. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Exodus  xxxiii. 

12  And  Moses  said  unto  the  Lord,  See,  thou  sayest  unto  uie, 
Bring  up  this  people:  and  thou  hast  not  let  me  know  whom 
thou  wilt  send  with  me.  Yet  thou  hast  said,  I  know  thee  by 
name,  and  thou  hast  also  found  grace  in  my  sight. 

13  Now  therefore,  I  pray  thee.  If  I  have  found  grace  in  thy 
sight,  show  me  now  thy  way,  that  1  may  know  thee,  that  I  may 
find  grace  in  thy  sight:  and  consider  that  this  nation  is  thy 
people. 

The  Anstver. — Exodus  xxxiii. 

14  And  he  said,  My  presence  shall  go  with  thee,  and  I  will 
give  thee  rest. 

The  Prayer  continued. — Exodus  xxxiii. 

15  And  he  said  unto  him.  If  thy  presence  go  not  with  me 
carry  us  not  up  hence. 

16  For  wherein  shall  it  be  known  here  that  1  and  thy  people 
have  found  grace  in  thy  sight?  is  it  not  in  that  Ihou  goest  with 
us?  so  shall  we  be  separated,  I  and  thy  people,  from  all  the 
people  that  are  upon  the  face  of  the  earth. 

The  Ansiver. 

17  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  I  will  do  this  thing  also 
that  thou  hast  spoken ;  for  thou  hast  found  grace  in  my  sight, 
and  I  know  thee  by  name. 


MOSES.  43 

The  Prayer. 

18  And  he  said,  I  beseech  thee,  show  me  thy  glory. 

The  Answer. 

19  And  he  said,  I  will  make  all  my  goodness  pass  before 
thee,  and  I  will  proclaim  the  name  of  the  Lord  before  thee ;  and 
will  be  gracious  to  whom  I  will  be  gracious,  and  will  show 
mercy  on  whom  I  will  show  mercy. 

20  And  he  said.  Thou  canst  not  see  my  face  :  for  there  shall 
no  man  see  me,  and  live. 

21  And  the  Lord  said,  Behold,  there  is  a  place  by  me,  and 
thou  shalt  stand  upon  a  rock: 

22  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  while  my  glory  passeth  by,  that 
I  will  put  thee  in  a  cleft  of  the  rock,  and  will  cover  thee  with  my 
hand  while  I  pass  by : 

23  And  I  will  take  away  mine  hand,  and  thou  shalt  see  ray 
back  parts :  but  my  face  shall  not  be  seen. 


PRAYER  OF  MOSES  ON  MOUNT  SINAL 

According  to  tlie  command  of  the  Lord,  Moses 
ascended  the  mount,  with  the  tables  of  stone.  In 
his  haste  he  had  broken  those  which  contained  the 
law,  and  the  first  token  of  God's  reconciliation  to 
Israel  was  his  renewal  of  them.  Moses  remained  in 
the  mount  forty  days  and  nights,  in  close  commu- 
nion with  God,  who  at  this  time  granted  him  a  special 
manifestation  of  his  holy  presence — "And  the  Lord 
passed  by  before  him;"    the  prophet    bowed   his 


44  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 


head  to  tlie  earth  and  worshiped.  His  prayer  was 
affectionate  and  earnest;  his  people  needed  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Lord ;  the  prophet  implored  help  and 
strength  from  heaven  to  guide  them ;  for  they  had 
become  stiif-necked,  and  trials  and  sorrow  have  ever 
been  lightened  by  prayer. 

"  God,  for  thy  glory  only  can  I  act, 
And  for  thy  creatures'  good. 
When  creatures  stray 
Farthest  from  thee,  as  these  have  done, 
Remember  them  in  mercy." 

The  prophet  knew  God  would  not  reject  his  pray- 
er, though  breathed  from  earthly  lips ;  he  remem- 
bered the  promises  made  to  him,  but  they  did  not 
supersede  the  necessity  of  prayer,  they  encouraged 
and  directed  him  in  his  approach  to  the  Being  who 
alone  could  grant  the  first  and  greatest  desire  of  his 
heart.  Moses  was  permitted  to  hold  communion 
with  the  Lord  for  forty  days  and  nights ;  it  was  no 
wonder  he  should  bear  some  visible  mark  of  this 
high  and  holy  fellowship  with  the  Father  of  lights. 
He  was  himself  unconscious  that  he  bore  about  with 
him  the  evidence  that  he  had  been  with  God.  It  is 
so  in  some  measure,  dear  reader,  with  every  praj^er- 
ful  person ;  we  know  him  v.'hen  he  is  near,  his  face 
is  full  of  the  beauty  shining  out  from  a  Christian 
heart;  we  know  him,  the  friend  of  God  ;  t^e  world 
can  never  hide  him,  though  his  path  may  be  among 
the  meek  and  lowly.     No  one  can  come  from  com- 


MOSES.  45 

munion  witli  God  without  breatliing  on  all  around 
him  the  sweet  breath  pf  charity  and  gentleness ;  his 
face  will  shine  out  with  love  to  his  fellow  man,  and 
the  wicked  will  not  be  able  to  bear  the  light  of  his 
countenance,  for  it  shines  brightly  with  the  beauty 
of  holiness.  This  petition  of  Moses  was  granted,  for 
the  Lord  promised  to  make  a  covenant  with  Israel ; 
the  sun  stood  still,  in  its  course  in  the  heavens,  the 
waters  of  Jordan  were  dried,  and  marvelous  thin2;s 
were  done  in  the  earth,  according  to  the  answer  of 
the  Lord. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Exodus  xxxiv. 

8  And  Moses  made  haste,  and  bowed  his  head  towards  the 
earth,  and  worshiped. 

9  And  he  said.  If  now  I  have  found  grace  in  thy  sight,  O 
Lord,  let  my  Lord,  I  pray  thee,  go  among  us ;  for  it  is  a  stiff- 
necked  people;  and  pardon  our  iniquity  and  our  sin,  and  take 
us  for  thine  inheritance. 

The  Answer. — Exodus  xxxiv. 

10  And  he  said,  Behold  I  make  a  covenant:  before  all  thy 
people  I  vv'ill  do  marvels,  such  as  have  not  been  done  in  all  the 
earth,  nor  in  any  nation :  and  all  the  people  among  which  thou 
art  shall  see  the  work  of  the  Lord :  for  it  is  a  terrible  thing  that 
I  will  do  with  thee. 


46  THE   PKAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 


A  PRAYER  OF  MOSES  FOR   THE*  SCATTERING  OF  THE 
LORD'S  ENEMIES. 

The  breatliing  of  Moses'  desire  at  this  time  was 
prophetical,  for  the  enemies  of  the  Lord  were  then 
and  ever  have  been  hasting  to  their  own  destruction. 
After  the  Israelites  had  remained  a  year  at  Sinai, 
they  again  commenced  their  march  towards  Canaan ; 
they  took  with  them  the  ark  of  the  covenant  of  the 
Lord,  by  which  their  communion  with  him  was  to 
be  kept  up ;  when  the  ark  set  forward  this  prayer 
was  made  by  Moses,  and  followed  by  another  when 
it  rested.  The  prophet  asks  of  the  Lord  success  for 
his  people  abroad,  and  rest  at  home,  that  his  power- 
ful hand  may  scatter  the  enemies  of  his  cause,  and 
that  all  that  hate  him  may  flee  before  him.  We  are 
taught  the  useful  lesson  in  these  prayers,  to  commit 
our  way  unto  the  Lord,  and  everything  in  which 
the  church,  the  Israel  of  God,  is  interested,  claims 
the  earnest  and  sincere  petition  of  every  Christian. 
Prayer  shoidd  precede  our  going  out  and  should 
follow  our  coming  in ;  then  will 

"  Our  way  appear,  steps  unto  heaven  : — 
All  that  thou  sendest  us  in  mercy  given," 

and  ever,  in  the  changing  scenes  of  life,  the  cloudy 
pillar  shall  be  our  Guide  ;  we  shall  be  fed  with  food 
from  heaven,  and  drink  from  the  smitten  rock — 
from  that  stream  which  alone  can  satisfy. 


MOSES.  47 

Earth's  cup  is  poisoned ; 
Her  renown  most  infamous ;  her  gold, 
Seem  as  it  may,  is  only  dust; 
Her  gain,  eternal  loss ;  her  hope,  a  dream ; 
Her  love,  her  friendship,  enmity  with  God." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Numbers  x. 

35  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  the  ark  set  forward,  that  Moses 
said,  Rise  up,  Lokd,  and  let  thine  enemies  be  scattered;  and  let 
thera  that  hate  thee  flee  before  thee. 

36  And  when  it  rested,  he  said,  Return,  O  Lord,  unto  the 
many  thousands  of  Israel. 


PRAYER  OF  MOSES  WHEN  THE  PEOPLE  WEEP  FOR 
FLESH  TO  EAT. 

The  history  of  Israel  is  truly  the  history  of  hu- 
man nature  in  all  ages  of  the  world ;  man  is  ever 
peevish  and  complaining  till  his  own  stubborn  will 
is  brought  into   submission  with  that  of  his  God. 
Moses,  weary  and  sorrowful  at  the  ingratitude  of  his 
people,  again  poured  his  grief  into  that  ear  which  is 
ever  open.     In  their  discontent  the  people  are  look- 
ing back  to  Egypt,  and  forward  with  distrust  to  the 
promised  land;  their  souls  had  no  relish  for  what 
they  called  the  light  food  which  God  had  in  kind- 
ness bestowed ;  the  stream  that  followed  them  from 
the  rock  was  to  them  no  water  at  all,  and  Israel  shed 
tears  of  discontent  and  passion.     Moses  at  this  time 


48  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

seems  to  feel  that  his  people  are  unfitted  for  the 
vocation  to  which  tlicy  liave  been  called,  and  there 
is  a  more  than  usual  fainting  of  his  strong  spirit ;  his 
resource  is  the  one  never  failing,  ever  calming ;  it  is 
prayer ;  there  is  in  his  heart  no  distrust  of  Qod^  but 
a  consciousness  of  his  own  weakness  in  guiding  this 
people.  The  Almighty  showed  great  pity  towards 
Moses,  lieard  every  sigh,  saw  every  tear,  sympa- 
thized with  him  in  his  weakness,  and  sent  to  his  aid 
seventy  elders,  upon  whom  was  poured  a  portion  of  ^ 
that  spirit  Avhich  had  led  the  prophet  thus  far  in  his 
way. 

"  God  is  great  and  God  is  just, 
He  knoweth  the  hearts  of 
The  children  of  dust : 
He  is  the  helper ;  in  Him  I  trust." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — ]S"umbers  xi. 

11  And  Moses  said  unto  the  Lord,  Wherefore  hast  thou 
afflicted  thy  servant?  and  wherefore  have  I  not  found  favor  in 
thy  sight,  tha.t  thou  layest  the  burden  of  all  this  people  upon  mel 

12  Have  I  conceived  all  this  people?  have  I  begotten  them, 
that  thou  shouldest  say  unto  me,  Carry  them  in  thy  bosom,  as  a 
nursing  father  beareth  the  sucking  child,  unto  the  land  which 
thou  swarest  unto  their  fathers  1 

13  Whence  should  I  have  flesh  to  give  unto  all  this  people? 
for  they  weep  unto  me,  saying,  Give  us  flesh,  that  we  may  eat. 

14  I  am  not  able  to  bear  all  this  people  alone,  because  it  is 
too  heavy  for  me. 

15  And  if  thou  deal  thus  with  me,  kill  me,  I  pray  thee,  out  of 
hand,  if  I  have  found  favor  in  thy  sight;  and  let  me  not  see  my 
wretchedness. 


MOSES.  49 

The  Answer. — Numbers  xi. 

16  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Gather  unto  me  seventy- 
men  of  the  elders  of  Israel,  whom  thou  knowest  to  be  the  elders 
of  the  people,  and  officers  over  them  ;  and  bring  them  unto  the 
tabernacle  of  the  congregation,  that  they  may  stand  there  with 
thee. 

17  And  I  will  come  down  and  talk  with  thee  there :  and  I 
will  take  of  the  spirit  <which  is  upon  thee,  and  will  put  it  upon 
them ;  and  they  shall  bear  the  burden  of  the  people  with  thee 
that  thou  bear  it  not  thyself  alone. 

18  And  say  thou  unto  the  people.  Sanctify  yourselves  against 
to-morrow,  and  ye  shall  eat  flesii :  for  ye  have  wept  in  the  ears 
of  the  Lord,  saying,  Who  shall  give  us  flesh  to  eat?  for  it  was 
well  with  us  in  Egypt:  therefore  the  Lord  will  give  you  flesh, 
and  ye  shall  eat. 

19  Ye  shall  not  eat  one  day,  nor  two  days,  nor  five  days, 
neither  ten  days,  nor  twenty  days : 

20  But  even  a  whole  month,  until  it  come  out  at  your  nos- 
trils, and  it  be  loathsome  unto  you  :  because  that  ye  have  des- 
pised the  Lord  which  is  among  you,  and  have  wept  before  him, 
saying,  Why  came  we  forth  out  of  Egypt? 


PRAYER  OF  MOSES  AS  TO  THE  MANNER  IN  WHICH  THE 
LORD  WILL  GIVE  THE  PEOPLE  FLESH  TO  EAT. 

God  had  promised  in  answer  to  the  last  prayer  of 
Moses  to  send  a  sufficient  quantity  of  food  to  supply 
his  people;  the  largeness  of  his  promise  startles 
Moses,  for  the  supply  was  not  for  a  day,  or  even  ten, 


50  THE  PRAYERS   OF  THE  BIBLE. 

but  for  a  whole  month,  and  this  too  for  six  hundred 
thousand  footmen.  We  will  quote  from  an  intelli- 
gent traveler  a  short  passage,  for  it  will  the  better 
enable  us  to  comprehend  the  spirit  in  which  the 
prayer  now  under  consideration  was  made:  "No 
reflection  forced  itself  upon  me  so  often  or  so  urgent- 
ly as  the  utter  and  universal  inaptitude  of  that 
country  for  the  sustenance  of  animal  life ;  it  really 
seemed  to  possess  no  element  favorable  to  human 
existence  besides  a  pure  air,  and  no  present  appear- 
ances favor  the  idea  that  it  was  ever  any  better.  I 
am  filled  with  wonder  that  so  many  travelers  should 
task  their  ingenuity  to  get  clear  of  the  miracles 
which,  according  to  the  narrative  of  Moses,  were 
wrought  to  facilitate  the  journey  of  that  vast  host, 
for  they  could  not  have  subsisted  three  days  without 
supernatural  resources."  The  quiet  and  mild  re- 
buke to  Moses,  in  the  Lord's  answer,  encourages  us 
to  come  to  him  with  every  desire,  however  impossi- 
ble it  may  seem  in  its  fulfillment,  so  long  as  it 
springs  from  love  to  God ;  "  His  arm  is  not  short- 
ened that  it  cannot  save."  Let  us  ask  great  things, 
then,  for  Israel.  Are  his  people  hungering  and 
thirsting  ?  the  Lord  has  plenty  and  to  spare.  Are 
they  languishing  and  drooping  ?  the  Lord's  spirit 
can  revive  them.  Prayer,  persevering  prayer,  will 
come  from  a  heart  that  truly  feels  for  the  afflicted 
people  of  God ;  we  have  only  to  implore  the  great 
Giver,  as  did  Moses,  and  the  supply  will  be  forth- 


MOSES.  61 

coming.  The  cliildren  of  Israel  had  inordinately 
desired  the  meat  the  Lord  promised  to  give;  he 
therefore  made  it  by  its  quantity  loathsome  to  them. 
It  is  ever  thus  with  man,  in  his  desires  greedily  pur- 
suing a  fancied  good,  covetous  and  over-anxious  to 
acquire  this  or  that,  and  if  he  obtain,  and  find  the 
possession  cloys,  yet  lie  turns  to  another  object, 
still  to  pursue,  still  to  be  disappointed, 

"Sweet  world  ! 
"We  all  still  cling  to  thee,  though  thou  thyself 
I     Passest  away." 

The  spirit  severed  from  its  God  is  ever  longing,  ever 
restless,  for  some  imagined  good,  forgetful  that  "the 
heart  must  shed  its  pleasures,  as  the  eye  its  tears." 
Let  our  desires  come,  then,  from  a  heart  full  of  love 
to  God,  but  let  the  measure  of  them  and  their  fulfill- 
ment be  of  the  Lord. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Numbers  xi. 

21  And  Moses  said,  The  people,  among  whom  I  am,  are  six 
hundred  thousand  footmen  ;  and  thou  hast  said,  I  will  give  them 
flesh,  that  they  may  eat  a  whole  month. 

22  Shall  the  flocks  and  the  herds  be  slain  for  them,  to  suffice 
them  ?  or  shall  all  the  fish  of  the  sea  be  gathered  together  for 
them,  to  suffice  them  ? 

The  Answer. — Numbers  xi. 

23  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Is  the  Lord's  hand  waxed 
short?  thou  shalt  see  now  whether  my  word  shall  come  to  pass 
unto  thee  or  not. 


52  THE   PRAYEKS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 


PRAYER  OF  MOSES  FOR  MIRIAM. 

The  sister  of  Moses,  for  whom  this  prayer  was 
made,  was  a  person  of  much  interest,  although 
under  the  present  circumstances  her  conduct  was 
highly  blamable,  and  called  forth  tlie  indignation  of 
God  The  part  she  enacted  in  the  preservation  of 
Moses,  in  his  infancy,  from  the  waters  of  the  Nile, 
her  tenderness  and  care  attach  us  to  her.  We  sup- 
pose Miriam  a  woman  of  much  personal  beauty — 
the  "  chief  lady  of  Israel,"  but  possessed  of  vehe- 
mence of  spirit  and  much  vanity.  The  affliction  for 
which  Moses  prayed  had  been  sent  upon  her  as  a 
punishment  in  speaking  rashly  of  the  prophet  of  the 
Lord.  Her  heart  was  filled  with  jealousy  towards 
Zipporah,  whom  Moses  had  chosen  for  a  wife,  and 
whom  Miriam  feared  might  usurp  her  rights  or  rule 
over  her.  Aaron  was  guilty  of  the  same  sin  as  his 
sister,  but  she  was  the  first  in  the  transgression,  and 
no  doubt  excited  him  by  her  rashness.  God  pun- 
ished Miriam  in  a  way  which  made  her  feel  more 
deeply  than  anything  else  could  have  done,  and  as 
we  hear  nothing  further  of  her  history,  we  infer  her 
days  were  passed  in  the  only  true  sphere  of  woman, 
in  quiet.  We  are  led  to  confess  that  woman  is  capa- 
ble of  doing  far  more  good  and  far  more,  evil  than 
man ;  even  when  she  is  imagined  pure  and  spotless, 
her  heart,  more  than  man's,  may  be  the  home  of  the 


MOSES.  53 

very  worst  as  well  as  the  best  passions.  Men  are, 
to  outward  appearance,  eitlier  the  one  thing  or  the 
otlier — good  or  bad ;  a  keen  observer  is  seldom  de- 
ceived ;  a  woman  to  the  world's  eye  is  always  good, 
till  by  some  outward,  flagrant  act  she  proves  herself 
otherwise.  This  prayer  of  Moses  exhibits  a  spirit  of 
meekness  and  forbearance  which  everywhere  in  his 
history  stamps  his  character.  In  the  jealousy  shown 
by  his  brother  and  sister  he  suffered  one  of  the  most 
bitter  trials  with  which  God's  children  are  called  to 
strive ;  he  had  hitherto  been  supported  in  all  his 
movements  by  his  own  family,  but  he  is  now  the 
subject  of  resentment  from  those  nearest  to  him,  but 
the  Lord  heard  it,  heard  all  their  taunts,  and  stood 
ready  to  defend  the  proi^het ;  he  says  to  them, 
"  Wherefore  then  were  ye  not  afraid  to  speak  against 
my  servant  Moses?"  In  this  leader  of  Israel  we 
have  an  instance  of  continuance  in  well-doing ;  we 
find  him  pursuing  the  path  of  duty,  "enduring, 
as  seeing  him  who  is  invisible,"  "choosing  rather  to 
suffer  affliction  with  the  people  of  God,  than  to  en- 
joy the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season,"  holding  close 
communion  with  his  Maker,  and  drawing  strength 
to  fulfill,  with  meekness  and  submission,  his  duties, 
from  that  source  which  alone  can  supply  it,  submit- 
ting to  insult,  returning  good  for  evil,  and  praying 
for  those  who  so  despitefully  used  him ;  yes,  in  his 
own  words,  "his  mother's  children  were  angry," 
those,  too,  who  were  eminent  in  religion,  bitterly 


54  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

assailed  liim.  We  are  liere  taught  another  lesson  of 
the  frailtj  of  human  nature,  its  liability  to  be  drawn 
into  sin ;  it  should  teach  us  to  cultivate  the  spirit  of 
Moses,  to  bear  with  the  faults  of  God's  children,  nor 
to  condemn  or  speak  rashly  of  those  whom  He  has 
called — remembering  we  are  all  sinful,  erring  beings. 
Let  us  take  with  us  that  charity  which  seeks  rather 
to  hide  than  to  expose  the  weaknesses  of  others. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Numbers  xii. 

13  And  Moses  cried  unto  the  Lord,  saying,  Heal  her  now,  O 
God,  I  beseech  thee. 

The  Answer. — Numbers  xii. 

14  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  If  her  father  had  but  spit 
in  her  face,  should  she  not  be  ashamed  seven  days  ?  let  her  be 
shut  out  from  the  camp  seven  days,  and  after  that  let  her  be  re- 
ceived in  again. 

15  And  Miriam  was  shut  out  from  the  camp  seven  days; 
and  the  people  journeyed  not  till  Miriam  was  brought  in  again. 


PRAYER  OF  MOSES  THAT  THE  PEOPLE  MAY  NOT  BE 
SMITTEN  WITH  PESTILENCE. 

This  humble  intercession  of  Moses  exhibits  him 
still  as  a  type  of  Christ,  praying  and  pleading  for 
his  persecutors.  The  prophet  does  not  offer  any  ex- 
cuse for  the  sins  of  his  people,  but  he  feels  that  if 
the  Lord  consume  them,  the  story  of  their  destruc- 


MOSES.  55 

tion  would  not,  by  those  who  knew  not  God,  be  at- 
tributed to  him  as  an  act  of  justice,  but  gloried  in  as 
a  shortening  of  that  arm  that  had  hitherto  delivered 
them;  he  is  jealous  for  the  glory  of  God;  he  would 
not  have  the  power  of  the  Almighty  questioned ; 
hence  his  plea,  "Let  the  power  of  my  Lord  be 
great."  Three  of  the  attributes  of  Jehovah  are 
brought  up  by  the  prophet  to  urge  him  to  listen  to 
his  request — his  goodness,  his  mercy,  and  his  will- 
ingness to  forgive,  all  of  which  had  been  shown  in 
times  past  toAvards  his  sinful  people.  His  fervent 
prayer  prevailed  with  God,  who  had  threatened  at 
this  time  to  destroy  them  with  pestilence,  and  make 
of  Moses  himself  a  mighty  nation ;  their  doom  is 
respited  in  answer  to  the  fervent  appeal.  "They 
were  indeed  to  perish  in  the  wilderness,  but  not  yet ; 
forty  years  were  the  adults  to  wander,  and  gradually 
die  out,  never  to  enter  or  see  the  promised  land; 
cowardly,  distrustful,  and  enfeebled  by  bondage,  the 
fathers  should  be  succeeded  by  their  children,  train- 
ed up  under  the  institutions  God  had  given  them, 
moulded  under  them  into  a  nation,  and  strengthen- 
ed into  manly  character  under  the  freedom  which 
had  been  so  triumphantly  won  for  them."*  The 
only  survivors  of  all  the  children  of  Israel  who 
were  to  live  to  enter  Canaan  were  Caleb  and  Joshua. 
The  spirit  of  the  former  is  particularly  spoken  of 

*  Dr.  Kitto, 


56  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

as  a  new  spirit,  one  which  led  him  to  "follow  the 
Lord  fully ;"  he  was  assured  of  inheriting  the  prom- 
ise, "Him  will  I  bring  in  due  time  into  the  land 
whereinto  he  went ;" — it  was  a  spirit  differing  from 
that  Avhich  loves  the  world  and  the  fleeting  things 
of  it — a  sj^irit  which  leads  to  prayer. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Numbers  xiv. 

13  And  Moses  said  unto  the  Lord,  Then  the  Egyptians  shall 
hear  it,  (for  thou  broughtest  up  this  people  in  thy  might  from 
among  them ;) 

14  And  they  will  tell  it  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  land :  for 
they  have  heard  that  thou  Lord  art  among  this  people,  that 
thou  Lord  art  seen  face  to  face,  and  that  thy  cloud  standeth 
over  them,  and  that  thou  goest  before  them,  by  day  time  in  a 
pillar  of  a  cloud,  and  in  a  pillar  of  fire  by  night. 

15  Now  if  thou  shaltkill  all  this  people  as  one  man,  then  the 
nations  which  have  heard  the  fame  of  thee  shall  speak,  saying, 

16  Because  the  Lord  was  not  able  to  bring  this  people  into 
the  land  which  he  sware  unto  them,  therefore  he  hath  slain  them 
in  the  wilderness. 

17  And  now,  I  beseech  thee,  let  the  power  of  my  Lord  be- 
great,  according  as  thou  hast  spoken,  saying, 

18  The  Lord  is  long-suffering,  and  of  great  mercy,  forgiving 
iniquity  and  transgression,  and  by  no  means  clearing  the  guilty, 
visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the 
third  and  fourth  generation. 

19  Pardon,  I  beseech  thee,  the  iniquity  of  this  people  accord- 
ing unto  the  greatnes:S  of  thy  mercy,  and  as  thou  hast  forgiven 
this  people,  from  Egypt  even  until  now. 


MOSES.  57 


The  Ansioer. — Numbers  xiv. 

20  Aiid  the  Lord  said,  I  have  pardoned  according  to  thy 
word : 

21  But  as  truly  as  I  live,  all  the  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the 
glory  of  the  Lord. 

22  Because  all  those  men  which  have  seen  my  glory,  and  my 
miracles,  which  1  did  in  Egypt  and  in  the  wilderness,  and  have 
tempted  me  now  these  ten  times,  and  have  not  hearkened  to  my 
voice ; 

23  Surely  they  shall  not  see  the  land  which  I  sware  unto 
their  Mhers,  neither  shall  any  of  them  that  provoked  me  see  it : 

24  But  my  servant  Caleb,  because  he  had  another  spirit  with 
him,  and  hath  followed  me  fully,  him  will  I  bring  into  the  land 
whereinto  he  went;  and  his  seed  shall  possess  it. 


PRAYER   OF  MOSES    THAT  THE   LORD   WOULD   SET  A 
MAN  OVER  THE  CONGREGATION". 

Moses  was  now  under  sentence  of  condemnation ; 
he  was  not  permitted  to  pass  over  Jordan;  from 
the  hour  he  fell  under  the  displeasure  of  God,  and 
which  shortened  the  date  of  his  life,  we  realize  that 
he  is  not  only  a  prophet  but  a  man  of  like  passions 
with  ourselves ;  sometimes  we  hear  him  entreating 
the  Lord  to  permit  him  to  pass  into  the  goodly  land, 
and  then  again  quietly  resigning  himself  to  the  will 
of  Grod,  now  manifesting  a  love  of  life,  and  then 
vindicating  the  righteous  judgment  of  God  in  the 
punishment  of  his  transgression.    The  prayer  under 


58  THE   PEAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

our  present  notice  was  no  personal  appeal ;  the  soul 
of  tlie  prophet  was  full  of  desire  for  Israel ;  he  seenis 
to  lose  sight  of  self,  and  prays  as  one  who  earnestly 
wished  the  advancement  of  God's  cause,  and  the 
eternal  welfare  of  his  people.  Humble-minded,  he 
seems  Avilling  to  see  himself  abased  and  others  ex- 
alted, if  so  be  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  acknow- 
ledged. Joshua,  a  man  of  unshaken  fidelity  and 
singular  piety,  is  brought  before  us ;  in  answer  to 
the  prophet's  prayer,  God  was  pleased  to  appoint 
him  as  the  leader  of  Israel,  to  finish  the  work 
of  Moses,  and  introduce  his  children  to  their  in- 
heritance. There  is  no  murmuring  word  from  the 
prophet  as  he  sees  his  dignity  about  to  rest  upon 
another ;  he  prays  for  one  that  might  lead  his  flock 
as  a  faithful  shepherd.  Joshua  was  taken  to  his 
heart  as  a  friend  and  brother.  How  unlike  the  spirit 
of  the  world  is  that  displayed  by  the  prophet ;  how 
rarely  do  we  see  one  who  can  rejoice  over  the  exal- 
tation of  inferiors,  even  when  such  advancement  is 
for  the  glory  of  God!  How  Avill  jealousy  exhibit 
itself  to  one  who  knows  the  evil  of  his  own  natural 
heart,  when  its  possessor  is  unconscious  of  it !  How 
it  breathes  itself  in  the  bitter  sarcasm,  the  whispered 
reproach,  the  fault-finding  spirit,  towards  the  exalt- 
ed one,  who,  instead  of  being  taken  to  the  heart  as 
a  better  instrument  in  working  for  God,  is  cast  aside 
and  hated  as  an  enemy !  Moses,  in  the  answer  to 
his  prayer,  is  commanded  to  cause  Joshua  to  stand 


MOSES.  59 

before  Eleazar  the  priest;  the  form  of  laying  on  of 
hands  was  one  recommended  by  divine  authority, 
and  of  significant  simplicity.  The  words,  "Thou 
shalt  put  some  of  thine  honor  upon  him,"  imply  that 
Moses  should  be  associated  with  Joshua  and  enjoy  the 
satisfaction  of  beholding  one  who  would,  acting  with 
him  and  with  the  same  spirit,  conduct  the  affairs  of 
the  people.  In  this  petition  of  Moses  we  have  again 
a  striking  exhibition  of  his  meekness. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Numbers  xxvii. 

15  And  Moses  spake  unto  the  Lord,  saying, 

16  Let  the  Lord,  the  God  of  the  spirits  of  all  flesh,  set  a  man 
over  the  congregation, 

17  Which  may  go  out  before  them,  and  which  may  go  in 
before  them,  and  which  may  lead  them  out,  and  which  may 
bring  them  in ;  that  the  congregation  of  the  Lord  be  not  as 
sheep  which  have  no  shepherd. 

The  Answer. — Numbers  xxvii. 

18  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  take  thee  Joshua  the  son 
of  Nun,  a  man  in  whom  is  the  spirit,  and  lay  thine  liand  upon 
him; 

19  And  set  him  before  Eleazar  the  priest,  and  before  all  the 
congregation ;  and  give  him  a  charge  in  their  sight. 

20  And  thou  shalt  put  some  of  thine  honor  upon  him,  that 
all  the  congregation  of  tlie  children  of  Israel  may  be  obedient. 

21  And  he  shall  stand  before  Eleazar  the  priest,  who  shall 
ask  counsel  for  him  after  the  judgment  of  Urim  before  the 
Lord :  at  his  word  shall  they  go  out,  and  at  his  word  shall  they 
come  in,  both  he,  and  all  the  children  of  Israel  with  him,  even 
all  the  congregation. 


60  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 


PRAYER  OF  JOSHUA. 

Josliua  was  anointed  with,  tlie  unction  of  the 
Divine  spirit,  and,  like  Moses,  sought  for  strength 
and  guidance  from  God,  to  fit  him  for  the  right  dis- 
charge of  the  duties  of  the  high  station  to  which  he 
had  been  called.  The  Lord,  in  infinite  justice,  had 
sent  defeat  to  the  hitherto  successful  arms  of  Israel, 
and  as  a  punishment  for  the  covetousness  of  Achan, 
had  caused  them  to  flee  before  the  men  of  Ai; 
their  loss  was  comparatively  small,  yet  as  a  military 
man  Joshua  felt  the  effects  of  the  defeat  deeply ;  he 
also  knew  it  was  a  rebuke  from  God ;  the  people 
felt  it  also,  and,  in  the  expressive  language  of  Scrip- 
ture, "  The  hearts  of  the  people  melted  and  became 
as  water."  Joshua  with  bowed  head  inquired  of  the 
Lord,  while  he  expressed  sorrow  and  humiliation 
for  the  present  condition  of  his  charge.  Dejected, 
he  lay  before  the  ark  in  prayer,  till  evening,  when 
he  was  informed  that  Israel  could  not  prosper  while 
"  the  accursed  thing  remained  among  them,  and  is 
told  the  way  and  means  of  its  discovery.  Achan 
acknowledges  his  sin — he  had  for  the  goodly  gar- 
ment and  the  wedge  of  gold,  brought  trouble  upon 
Israel,  and  exposed  his  own  soul  to  danger.  The 
conduct  of  Joshua  on  the  discovery  of  Achan's  sin, 
as  well  as  his  prayer,  is  worthy  of  our  serious 
.  notice ;  there  is  no  bitter  denunciation  in  his  words, 


JOSHUA.  61 

no  liarsliness  of  manner,  but  sorrow  for  his  sin : 
"Why  hast  thou  troubled  us?"  he  says,  and  leads 
him  to  acknowledge  the  justice  of  God,  in  punishing 
those  who  sinned  against  Israel.  When  he  ap- 
proaches him  it  is  tenderly,  and  the  words  "  My  son, 
tell  me  what  thou  hast  done,"  methinks,  should  be 
borne  in  the  heart  and  on  the  lips  of  all  Christian 
ministers  at  the  present  day ;  human  nature  is  per- 
verse and  resistant ;  the  bitter  denunciation  will 
never  lead  a  man  to  confess  his  sins,  even  if  they 
are  clear  to  his  eye  and  lie  heavy  on  his  soul.  One 
of  our  old  poets  has  said,  "  When  man  ceases  to 
justify  himself,  then  it  is  the  last  extremity  of  evil." 
Conceit  is  the  last  passion  that  dies  out  in  the  soul 
when  Grod's  love  enters  it ;  its  death  too  is  gradual — • 
so  gradual,  that  often  in  the  heart  of  the  believer,  we 
see  it  welling  up  and  troubling  the  clear  waters  of 
truth.  Gro,  then,  Christian  teacher,  tenderly  to  the 
sinner ;  remember  the  pit  from  which  thou  hast 
been  taken ;  go  gently  to  warn,  to  admonish,  to 
caution ;  teach  that  God  is  a  Father,  a  Friend ;  im- 
plant this  feeling,  and  the  heart  will  learn  to  fear  as 
well  as  love  him. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Joshua  vii. 

6  And  Joshua  rent  his  clothes,  and  fell  to  the  earth  upon  his 
face  before  the  ark  of  the  Lord  until  the  eventide,  he  and  the 
elders  of  Israel,  and  put  dust  upon  their  heads. 

7  And  Joshua  said,  Alas,  O  Lord  God,  wherefore  hast  thou 
at  all  brought  this  people  over  Jordan,  to  deliver  us  into  the 

4 


62  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 


hand  of  the  Amorites,  to  destroy  us?  would  to  God  we  had 
been  content,  and  dwelt  on  the  otiier  side  of  Jordan  ! 

8  O  Lord,  what  shall  I  say,  when  Israel  tiirneth  their  backs 
before  their  enemies ! 

9  For  the  Canaanites  and  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  land  shall 
hear  of  it,  and  shall  environ  us  round  and  cut  off  our  name 
from  the  earth :  and  what  wilt  thou  do  unto  thy  great  name  ? 

The  Answer. — Joshua  vii. 

10  And  the  Loed  said  unto  Joshua,  Get  thee  up;  wherefore 
liest  thou  thus  upon  thy  face? 

11  Israel  hath  sinned,  and  they  have  also  transgressed  my 
covenant  which  I  commanded  them :  for  they  have  even  taken 
of  the  accursed  thing,  and  have  also  stolen,  and  dissembled  also, 
and  they  have  put  it  even  among  their  own  stuff. 

12  Therefore  the  children  of  Israel  could  not  stand  before 
their  enemies,  but  turned  their  backs  before  their  enemies,  be- 
cause they  were  accursed:  neither  will  I  be  with  you  any  more, 
except  ye  destroy  the  accursed  from  among  you. 

13  Up,  sanctify  the  people,  and  say.  Sanctify  yourselves 
against  to-morrow :  for  thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel, 
There  is  an  accursed  thing  in  the  midst  of  thee,  O  Israel :  thou 
canst  not  stand  before  thine  enemies,  until  ye  take  away  the 
accursed  thing  from  among  you. 

14  In  the  morning  therefore  ye  shall  be  brought  according 
to  your  tribes :  and  it  shall  be,  that  the  tribe  which  the  Lokd 
taketh  shall  come  according  to  the  families  thereof;  and  the 
family  which  the  Lokd  shall  take  shall  come  by  households ; 
and  the  household  which  the  Lord  shall  take  shall  come  man 
by  man. 

15  And  it  shall  be,  that  he  that  is  taken  with  the  accursed 
thing  shall  be  burnt  with  fire,  he  and  all  that  he  hath :  because 
he  hath  transgressed  the  covenant  of  the  Lord,  and  because  he 
hath  wrought  folly  in  Israel. 


HANNAH.  63 


PRAYER  OF  HANNAH. 

An  all-wise  Jehovah  sees  fit  to  try  his  children  in 
the  school  of  affliction ;  these  trials  are  as  varied  as 
their  disposition  and  temperament;  each  one  is 
brought  through  the  waters  bj  the  way  best  fitted 
to  purify  his  or  her  heart,  and  is  attacked  in  those 
desires  which  separate  him  from  his  God.  There 
are  few  even  of  those  who  are  the  professed  children 
of  the  Most  High,  but  are  still  waiting  for,  still  pur- 
suing some  object  which  they  fancy  will  increase 
their  happiness.  God  does  not  reprove  us  for  these 
desires,  if  their  attainment  is  the  advancement  of  his 
glory;  he  rather  encourages  us  to  express  to  him 
every  want  of  our  hearts.  The  prayer  before  us  is 
a  striking  example  of  clearness  and  precision  in  the 
subject  matter,  of  confidence  and  reliance  on  the 
great  Hearer ;  it  was  made  by  Hannah,  the  memo- 
rials of  whose  life  comprehend  but  a  few  years,  in- 
deed embrace  only  this  sprayer  and  its  answer^  with 
the  attendant  circumstances.  The  wife  of  a  distin- 
guished servant  of  God,  who  loved  and  appreciated 
her,  and  surrounded  by  comfort  and  competence,  she 
was  conscious  of  one  desire  ungratified,  a  want  in 
her  bosom  ungratified — a  want  which  was  rendered 
a  hitter  sorrow  by  the  taunts  of  a  rival,  who  tri- 
umphed over  her  with  the  evil  spirit  of  an  enemy ; 
human  nature  is  weak  and  erring,  and  we  see  this 


64:  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

godlj  woman  disturbed  in  mind,  lier  devotional 
feelings  ruffled  and  fretted  by-  her  adversary.  We 
doubt  not  but  Hannali  had  made  her  peculiar  trial 
a  frequent  subject  of  prayer;  but  we  observe  much 
selfishness  mingled  in  her  desires,  and  perhaps  she 
had  a  rebellious  feeling  against  the  Avill  of  the 
Almighty.  We  remark,  however,  under  all  the 
disturbed  feelings  of  Hannah  a  quiet,  steady  walk  in 
the  path  of  duty,  and  we  read  of  her  going  up  year- 
ly with  her  household,  to  oifer  the  required  sacri- 
fices to  God  at  the  appointed  Shiloh,  The  discip- 
line through  which  she  passed  purified  her  spirit, 
and  taiight  her  to  bear  her  burden  o£  sorrow  in 
silence.  As  she  sat  quietly  during  the  feast  in 
Shiloh,  her  tears  flowed  fast  and  free,  and  afterward 
she  poured  out  her  soul  to  God  in  prayer.  A  de- 
scendant of  Abraham,  one  in  whom  all  the  families 
of  the  earth  were  to  be  blessed,  she  had  the  coven- 
ant of  Abraham  to  plead ;  this  strengthened  the 
particular  desire  of  her  heart — a  desire  she  possessed 
in  common  with  all  Hebrew  women.  She  came 
with  earnestness  to  God,  and  asked  for  a  son,  not 
that  she  might  rid  herself  of  the  taunts  of  her  rival, 
or  enjoy  him  selfishly,  but  that  she  might  dedicate 
him  to  the  worship  and  service  of  the  God  of  Israel, 
not  for  a  time,  but  for  his  life ;  to  the  prayer  is  added 
her  vow  to  consecrate  him  whom  God  would  send, 
to  a  life  of  purity  and  holiness.  A  trial  awaited 
Hannah  even  at  her  hour  of  prayer,  for,  unmind- 


HANNAH.  65 

ful  of  the  presence  of  man,  and  communing  with 
heaven,  she  poured  out  her  full  soul  into  an  ear 
that  always  listens  ;  hers  was  the  language  of  strong 
faith  in  and  hope  towards  God,  the  exertion  of  a 
soul  struggling  to  free  itself  of  a  burden  that  was 
oppressing  and  overcoming  it ;  and  well  was  it  that 
God  saw  not  as  man  saw,  else  the  heart  of  Hannah 
would  not  have  been  full  of  the  peace  with  which 
she  rose  from  that  prayer.  The  charge  of  Eli  was 
not  even  repelled  in  anger,  gross  as  it  was  to  the 
sensitive  mind  of  Hannah ;  calm,  in  conscious  inno- 
cence, she  felt  as  every  true  believer  always  feels 
when  charged  falsely.  "  If  God  justifieth,  who  is 
he  that  condemneth."  Her  soul  was  fortified  by 
prayer,  and  she  stood  ready  for  any  attack;  the  joy 
in  her  heart  shone  out  in  all  her  after  conduct,  "and 
she  was  no  more  sad."  There  is  great  fullness  in 
the  expressions  in  this  prayer  ;  God  is  addressed  as 
the  Lord  of  Hosts,  who  has  the  universe  with  its 
myriads  at  his  sovereign  disposal;  there  is  in  it 
deep  humility — not  the  language  of  one  who  fancies 
himself  heard  for  his  much  speaking,  but  the  feeling 
of  a  sinner  in  the  presence  of  a  just  God.  The  de- 
sire of  Hannah's  heart  was  gratified,  and  a  son  was 
granted.  Prayer  does  not  always  bring,  as  it  did 
with  this  godly  woman,  the  blessing  solicited,  but  it 
brings  its  best  answer  in  a  will  perfectly  submissive 
to  that  of  the  Almighty.  Were  our  specified  desires 
always  granted  they  might  bring  many  a  sorrow 


66  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE, 

now  happily  averted.  While,  then,  we  are  encour- 
aged by  this  prayer  to  whisper  our  wants  in  the  ear 
of  God,  let  us  leave  them  to  his  wisdom,  let  us  be 
careful  to  have  them  regulated  by  his  love,  and  be 
satisfied  with  the  hope,  that  all  things  work  together 
for  good  to  them  that  love  God. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Samuel  i. 

10  And  she  was  in  bitterness  of  soul,  and  prayed  unto  the 
Lord,  and  wept  sore. 

1 1  And  she  vowed  a  vow,  and  said,  O  Lord  of  hosts,  if  thou 
wilt  indeed  look  on  the  affliction  of  thine  handmaid,  and  re- 
member me,  and  not  forget  thine  handmaid,  but  wilt  give  unto 
thine  handmaid  a  man  child,  then  I  will  give  him  unto  the  Lord 
all  the  days  of  his  life,  and  there  shall  no  razor  come  upon  his 
head. 

The  Ansiver. — 1  Samuel  i. 

20  Wherefore  it  came  to  pass,  when  the  time  was  come 
about  after  Hannah  had  conceived,  that  she  bare  a  son,  and 
called  his  name  Samuel,  saying.  Because  I  have  asked  him  of 
the  Lord. 

27  For  this  child  I  prayed ;  and  the  Lord  hath  given  me  my 
petition  which  I  asked  of  him : 

28  Therefore  also  I  have  lent  him  to  the  Lord  ;  as  long  as 
he  liveth  he  shall  be  lent  unto  the  Lord. 


SAMUEL.  67 


PRAYER  OF  SAMUEL. 

The  child  Samuel,  the  memorial  of  a  mother's 
prayer,  the  living  witness  of  the  blessed  truth,  that 
God  will  hear  and  answer  sincere  and  earnest  peti- 
tion, is  now  an  old  man,  and  through  his  whole 
character  we  trace  the  wisdom  and  fortitude  im- 
parted to  him  by  the  guidance  of  his  excellent  and 
godly  mother.  The  time  has  come  with  Samuel 
when  the 

"  Eye  dims,  the  lithe  limbs  stiffen, 
The  sua-hueci  locks  thin  themselves 
Off,  or  whitely  wither." 

But  his  heart  is  quick  to  feel,  and  his  prayers  as 
fervent  as  when  first  he  lisped  them  to  his  God. 
He  cannot-now  as  formerly  watch  over  the  inter- 
ests of  the  whole  country,  or  make  his  accustomed 
circuit  through  the  land;  he  therefore  appointed 
his  sons  to  relieve  him,  and  put  them  in  his  place  at 
Bathsheba.  At  the  time  of  this  appointment  they 
were  no  doubt  fitted  for  it,  for  we  hear  no  word 
of  censure  from  God  or  man,  but  we  find  them 
afterward  wandering  from  their  father's  ways,  their 
hearts  bound  with  "the  leaden  chains  of  that  dull 
lust,  a  love  of  gain."  The  elders  of  Israel  plead 
this  sin  as  an  excuse  for  their  request  to  Samuel  to 
give  them  a  king.  It  is  not  because  a  holy  God  is 
grieved  by  the  sin  of  the  sons  of  Samuel,  but  it  is 


68  THE   PKAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

because  of  the  injury  done  their  temporal  interests 
that  they  make  this  request.  Samuel,  who  had 
been  faithful  over  Israel  and  an  instrument  in  God's 
hand  of  much  good,  was  grieved  at  the  ingratitude 
of  the  people,  but  does  not  attempt  to  answer  them 
in  his  own  strength,  or  rely  on  his  own  judgment ; 
he  prays  to  the  God  of  wisdom  to  guide  him  in  his 
reply.  The  people  do  not  murmur  or  even  propose 
the  name  of  any  to  fill  the  place ;  and  this  is  indeed 
a  noted  fact,  for  it  is  the  only  recorded  instance  of  a 
public  determination  to  appoint  a  king,  and  no 
name  proposed.  We  know  these  j^eople  were  sure 
the  law  of  Moses  was  from  God,  but  it  is  probable 
the}'  were  tired  of  being  ruled  by  those'  raised  by 
God  to  reform  religion,  and  though  they  respect 
Samuel,  their  desire  to  be  great  and  powerful  in  the 
eyes  of  other  nations  seems  to  be  their  motive  in 
asking  of  Samuel  a  king  to  reign  over  them.  The 
answer  of  the  Lord  to  Samuel's  prayer  leads  us  to 
infer  the  request  of  the  people  was  improper. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Samuel  viii. 

1  And  it  came  to  pass  when  Samuel  was  old,  that  he  made 
his  sons  judges  over  Israel. 

2  Now  the  name  of  his  firstborn  was  Joel :  and  the  name  of 
his  second,  Abiah :  they  were  judges  in  Beer-sheba. 

3  And  his  sons  walked  not  in  his  ways,  but  turned  aside  after 
lucre,  and  took  bribes,  and  perverted  judgment. 

4  Then  all  the  elders  of  Israel  gathered  themselves  together, 
and  came  to  Samuel  unto  Ramah, 


SAMUEL.  69 

5  And  said  unto  him,  Behold,  thou  art  old,  and  thy  sons 
walk  not  in  thy  ways .  now  make  us  a  king  to  judge  us  like  all 
the  nations. 

6  But  the  thing  displeased  Samuel,  when  they  said,  Give  us 
a  king  to  judge  us.     And  Samuel  prayed  unto  the  Lord. 

The  Lorcfs  Answer. 

7  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Samuel,  Hearken  unto  the  voice 
of  the  people  in  all  that  they  say  unto  thee :  for  they  have  not 
rejected  thee,  but  they  have  rejected  me,  that  I  should  not  reign 
over  them. 

8  According  to  all  the  works  which  they  have  done  since  the 
day  that  I  brought  them  up  out  of  Egypt  even  unto  this  day, 
wherewith  they  have  forsaken  me,  and  served  other  gods,  so  do 
they  also  unto  thee. 

9  Now  therefore  hearken  unto  their  voice :  howbeit  yet  pro- 
test solemnly  unto  them,  and  show  them  the  manner  of  the 
king  that  shall  reign  over  them. 


PRATER  OF  SAMUEL   FOR  A  THUNDER  STORM  IN" 
TIME  OF  WHEAT  HARVEST. 

A  shower  of  rain  was  an  uncommon  occurrence 
in  that  country  during  wheat  harvest,  and  the  an- 
swer to  the  following  prayer  was  calculated  to  pro- 
duce conviction,  and  alarm  the  people.  Terrified 
with  the  power  of  God  displayed  in  the  thunder- 
storm, and  fearfal  of  some  immediate  judgment  of 
God,  they  saw,  in  answer  to  Samuel's  prayer, 


70  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

"  The  sky  grow  darker ;  then  came  booming  on 
The  deep-voiced  thunder,  while  at  distance  rolled 
The  wild  wind's  dirge  like  and  yet  tempest  tone; 
And  lightning's  evanescent  sheets  of  gold 
Burst  in  their  anger  from  the  cloud's  dark  fold." 

"With  one  united  cry  the  people  call  upon  Samuel 
to  pray  to  the  Lord  God  Almighty.  Pray,  say  they, 
that  we  die  not ;  pray,  for  we  have  added  sin  to  sin ; 
we  have  desired  a  king  when  God  hath  chosen  other 
government  for  us ;  but  we  acknowledge  the  power 
of  the  God  who  speaks  in  the  thunder  and  rides 
upon  the  storm. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Samuel  xii. 

16  Now  therefore  stand  and  see  this  great  thing,  which  the 
LoKD  will  do  before  your  eyes. 

17  Is  it  not  wheat  harvest  to-day?  I  will  call  unto  the  Lord, 
and  he  shall  send  thunder  and  rain ;  that  ye  may  perceive  and 
see  that  your  wickedness  is  great,  which  ye  have  done  in  the 
sight  of  the  Lord,  in  asking  you  a  king. 

18  So  Samuel  called  unto  the  Lord. 

The  Lord^s  Answer. 

18  And  the  Lord  sent  thunder  and  rain  that  day:  and  all  the 
people  greatly  feared  the  Lord  and  Samuel. 


DAVID.  71 


PRAYER  OF  DAVID  UNDER  TRYING  CIRCUMSTANCES. 

David  was  at  this  time  an  inspired  writer  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures ;  yet  the  Lord  spoke  to  him  by  his 
prophet  and  then  by  the  high  priest,  for  the  honor 
of  his  own  institutions.  Saul  had  neglected  the 
protection  of  Israel,  and  the  depredations  of  the 
Philistines  were  extremely  distressing.  David  is 
called  in  the  Scriptures  the  man  after  God's  own 
heart ;  and  it  is  with  feelings  of  peculiar  interest  we 
review  his  prayers;  they  are  songs  from  the  "sweet 
singer  of  Israel,"  and  come  from  the  heart  of  him 
whose  life  was  one  of  deep  devotedness  to  God  and 
his  cause.  In  his  youth  he  says,  "Thou  art  mj 
trust,"  and  in  age,  "Now  when  I  am  old  and  gray- 
headed,  0  Lord,  forsake  me  not."  A  man  of  prayer, 
we  find  him  always  at  the  mercy-seat  in  times  of 
trial  or  of  rejoicing.  From  the  throne  of  God  came 
down  the  strength  that  filled  this  good  man's  heart. 
When  David  could  not  divine  clearly  his  duty,  as 
in  the  present  instance,  he  called  to  the  high  priest 
to  put  on  the  TJrim  and  Thummim,  and  by  him 
asked  God  to  direct  him  in  all  his  decisions. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Samuel  xxiii. 

1  Then  they  told  David,  saying,  Behold  the  Philistines  fight 
against  Keilah,  and  they  rob  the  threshing-floors. 

2  Therefore  David  inquired  of  the  Lord,  saying,  Shall  I  go 
and  smite  these  Philistines  ? 


72  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE, 


The  Lord's  Ansiver. — 1  Samuel  xxiii. 

2  And  the  Lord  said  unto  David,  Go,  and  smite  the  Pliilis- 
tines,  and  save  Keihih. 

David  continues  his  prayer. — 1  Samuel  xxiii. 

10  Then  said  David,  O  Lord  God  of  Israel,  thy  servant  hath 
certainly  heard  that  Saul  seeketh  to  come  to  Keilah,  to  destroy 
the  city  for  my  sake. 

11  Will  the  men  of  Keilah  deliver  me  up  into  his  hand? 
will  Saul  come  down,  as  tliy  servant  hath  heard  ?  O  Lord  God 
of  Israel,  I  beseech  thee,  tell  thy  servant. 

The  Lords  Ansiver. — 1  Samuel  xxiii. 

11  And  the  Lord  said.  He  will  come  down. 

David  still  2)rays. — 1  Samuel  xxiii. 

12  Then  said  David,  Will  the  men  of  Keilah  deliver  me  and 
my  men  into  the  hand  of  Saul  ? 

The  Lord's  Answer. — 1  Samuel  xxiii. 
12  And  the  Lord  said,  They  will  deliver  thee  up. 


PRAYER  OF  DAVID  WHEN  THE  AMALEKITES  HAD 
INVADED  ZIKLAG. 

Ziklag  was  distant  from  the  camp  of  the  Philis- 
tines about  three  days'  march,  and  David  did  not 
receive  an  authentic  account  of  the  battle  at  Gilboa 
till  two  days  after  his  return  thither.     The  Lord 


DAVID.  73 

had  delivered  him  from  his  ensnaring  connection 
with  Achish,  but  his  conduct  had  not  been  entirely 
free  from  deceit  while  connected  with  him ;  he 
found  it  difficult  to  avoid  all  insincerity,  and  from 
fear  or  courtesy  had  been  disingenuous  in  his  inter- 
course with  the  king.  God  severely  rebuked  him 
for  his  conduct,  by  the  calamity  that  befell  Ziklag 
in  his  absence.  David's  fear  of  offending  Achish 
had  induced  him  to  leave  the  city  without  placing  a 
proper  guard  over  the  inhabitants;  but  the  Amal- 
ekites  were  wonderfully  restrained  from  destroying 
any  of  them,  after  the  example  which  David  had  set 
them ;  in  this  God  showed  his  intention  to  rebuke 
David  alone,  but  protect  his  family  and  friends. 
His  wives  were  led  into  captivity,  and  David  and 
the  people  shed  bitter  and  sorrowful  tears  over  the 
destruction  made  in  the  city  by  the  devouring  flame. 
In  this  deep  sorrow  David  remembers  the  Lord  his 
God — remembers  the  promises  and  encouragements 
he  gives  to  his  children  to  call  upon  him  in  trouble, 
and  immediately  consults  him  by  the  high  priest. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Samuel  xxx. 

8  And  David  inquired  at  tlie  Lord,  saying,  Shall  I  pursue 
after  this  troop  ?  shall  I  overtake  them  ? 

The  Lord's  Answer. — 1  Samuel  xxx. 

8  And  he  answered  him,  Pursue :  for  thou  shalt  surely  over- 
take them,  and  without  fail  recover  all. 


74  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 


PRAYER  OF  DAVID  AND  THANKSGIVING. 

One  of  the  first  acts  of  David's  reign  was  to  place 
tlie  ark  in  tlie  tabernacle  in  the  presence  of  all  the 
people ;  it  was  he  that  collected  the  priests  and 
Levites,  and  bade  them,  morning  and  evening,  re- 
member the  Lord  their  God,  and  offer  their  daily 
sacrifices  to  Him  who  had  created  and  sustained 
them  ;  it  was  he  who  first  taught  them  unitedly  to 
chant  his  praises  in  the  tabernacle,  and  in  every 
house  and  cottage  in  Israel  were  sung  the  hymns  of 
David.  The  time  will  come  when  it  may  be  said  of 
their  sweet  strains — 

"Their  line  is  gone  out  through  all  the  earth,  and  their  words  to 
the  end  of  the  world." 

In  this  prayer  he  seems  to  remember  God's  con- 
tinued goodness  to  him,  and  how  wonderfully  he 
has  been  led  from  the  "  mountain  fold  "  to  the  royal 
throne.  As  he  sits  in  the  tabernacle  whither  he  had 
gone  to  pray,  he  tells  the  Lord  the  thoughts  of  his 
heart,  and  pours  out  his  thanksgiving  to  him;  he 
also  reiterates  God's  promises  to  him,  by  which  the 
Lord  had  connected  the  glory  of  his  own  truth  with 
the  establishment  of  David's  family,  that  those  who 
came  after  him  might  walk  in  the  path  of  salvation, 
and  work  for  the  cause  of  God  in  the  world. 


DAVID.    •  75 


The  Prayer  as  recorded, — 2  Samuel  vii. 

18  Then  went  king  David  in,  and  sat  before  the  Lord,  and 
he  said,  Who  am  I,  O  Lord  God?  and  what  is  my  house  that 
thou  hast  brought  me  hitherto  ? 

19  And  this  was  yet  a  small  thing  in  thy  sight,  O  Lord  God; 
but  thou  hast  spoken  also  of  thy  servant's  house  for  a  great 
while  to  come.     And  is  this  the  manner  of  man,  O  Lord  God  ? 

20  And  what  can  David  say  more  unto  thee  ?  for  thou,  Lord 
God,  knowest  thy  servant. 

21  For  thy  word's  sake,  and  according  to  thine  own  heart, 
hast  thou  done  all  these  great  things,  to  make  thy  servant  know 
them. 

22  Wherefore  thou  art  great,  O  Lord  God  :  for  there  is  none 
like  thee,  neither  is  there  any  God  beside  thee,  according  to  all 
that  we  have  heard  with  our  ears. 

23  And  what  one  nation  in  the  earth  is  like  thy  people,  even 
like  Israel,  whom  God  went  to  redeem  for  a  people  to  himself, 
and  to  make  him  a  name,  and  to  do  for  you  great  things  and 
terrible,  for  thy  land,  before  thy  people,  whieh  thou  redeemedst 
to  thee  from  Egypt,  from  the  nations  and  their  gods'? 

24  For  thou  hast  confirmed  to  thyself  thy  people  Israel  to  be 
a  people  unto  thee  for  ever :  and  thou.  Lord,  art  become  their 
God. 

25  And  now,  O  Lord  God,  the  word  that  thou  hast  spoken 
concerning  thy  servant,  and  concerning  his  house,  establish  it 
for  ever,  and  do  as  thou  hast  said. 

26  And  let  thy  name  be  magnified  for  ever,  saying.  The  Lord 
of  hosts  is  the  God  over  Israel :  and  let  the  house  of  thj  serv- 
ant David  be  established  before  thee. 

27  For  thou,  O  Lord  of  hosts,  God  of  Israel,  hast  revealed 
to  thy  servant,  saying,  I  will  build  thee  an  house :  therefore 
hath  thy  servant  found  in  his  heart  to  pray  this  prayer  unto  thee. 


76  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   ElBLE. 

28  And  now,  O  Lord  God,  thou  art  that  God,  and  thy  words 
be  true,  and  thou  hast  promised  this  goodness  unto  thy  servant: 

29  Now  therefore  let  it  please  thee  to  bless  the  house  of  thy 
servant,  that  it  may  continue  for  ever  before  thee :  for  thou,  O 
Lord  God,  hast  spoken  it :  and  with  thy  blessing  let  the  house 
of  thy  servant  be  blessed  for  ever. 


PRAYER  OF  DAVID  AS  HE  WENT  WEEPING  UP  THE 
MOUNT  OF  OLIVET. 

Aliithopliel,  who  is  mentioned  in  tliis  prayer,  was 
a  man  of  great  ability.  David  feared  more  from  him 
than  from  the  whole  number  of  Absalom's  followers ; 
he  had  just  heard  of  his  uniting  himself  to  the  con- 
spirators, and  his  heart  is  grieved.  This  feeling  is 
caught  by  the  people,  and  a  mourning,  weeping 
multitude  are  slowly  ascending  the  mountain. 
David  felt  himself  guilty  in  God's  sight  for  the 
misery  he  had  brought  on  himself  and  people,  and, 
humbled  under  the  hand  of  God,  his  expressions  of 
sorrow  are  deep,  while  with  bowed  head  and  tearful 
eyes  he  makes  the  request  contained  in  his  prayer. 
He  knows  the  God  of  Israel  can  turn  the  wisdom  of 
the  wise  man  into  foolishness,  and  render  the  might 
of  the  strong  man  powerless.  Hushai  was  an  in- 
timate friend  of  David's ;  he  was  from  Archi,  a 
town  on  the  southern  border  of  Ephraim;  he  is 
made  the  instrument  in  defeating  the  counsel  of 
Ahithophel,  in  answer  to  the  prayer  of  David. 


DAVID,  77 


The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 2  Samuel  xv. 

30  And  David  went  up  by  the  ascent  of  mount  Olivet,  and 
wept  as  he  went  up,  and  had  his  head  covered,  and  he  went 
barefoot :  and  all  the  people  that  was  with  him  covered  every 
man  his  head,  and  they  went  up,  weeping  as  they  went  up. 

31  And  one  told  David,  saying,  Ahithophel  is  among  the 
conspirators  with  Absalom.  And  David  said,  O  Lord,  I  pray 
thee,  turn  the  counsel  of  Ahithophel  into  foolishness. 

The  Lord''s  Ansiver. — 2  Samuel  xv. 

32  And  it  came  to  pass,  that  when  David  was  come  to  the 
top  of  the  mount,  where  he  worshiped  God,  behold,  Hushai  the 
Archite  came  to  meet  him  with  his  coat  rent,  and  earth  upon 
his  head : 

33  Unto  whom  David  said,  If  thou  passest  on  with  me,  then 
thou  shalt  be  a  burden  unto  me  : 

34  But  if  thou  retuiil  to  the  city  and  say  unto  Absalom,  I 
will  be  thy  servant,  O  king;  as  I  have  been  thy  father's  servant 
hitherto,  so  will  I  now  also  be  thy  servant :  then  mayest  thou 
for  me  defeat  the  counsel  of  Ahithophel. 

2  Samuel  xvii. 

14  And  Absalom  and  all  the  men  of  Israel  said,  The  counsel 
of  Hushai  the  Archite  is  better  than  the  counsel  of  Ahithophel. 
For  the  Lord  had  appointed  to  defeat  the  good  counsel  of 
Ahithophel,  to  the  intent  that  the  Lord  might  bring  evil  upon 
Absalom. 


78  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 


PRAYER  OF  DAVID  AFTER   HIS  TRANSGRESSION  IN 
NUMBERING  ISRAEL  AND  JUDAH. 

When  we  cousider  the  character  of  David,  and 
hear  him  spoken  of  as  "  the  man  after  God's  own 
heart,"  we  are  apt  to  forget  he  was,  Hke  ourselves, 
human  and  imperfect.  In  some  of  the  acts  of 
David's  life,  even  after  his  conversion,  there  is  sad 
evidence  of  natural  corruption ;  pride,  vanity,  and 
deceit  are  still  in  his  heart.  We  know  these  hateful 
passions  were  not  nourished  by  him,  and  cannot  be 
by  one  who,  like  him,  daily  waits  on  his  God.  This 
is  an  encouragement  to  Christians  struggling  with 
the  deep-rooted  malady  in  their  own  hearts,  and 
ought  to  fill  them  with  a  joyful  hope  that  at  the  last 
they  will  come  off"  more  than  •conquerors  through 
him  who  loved  them.  It  should  awaken  for  the 
whole  world  that  loving  charity  which  "thinketh  no 
evil,"  and  though  all  about  us  there  are  wandering 
children  from  the  fold  of  God,  yet  they  may,  like 
David,  be  struggling  in  prayer,  their  lives  be  a  war- 
fare against  sin  and  Satan,  and  theirs  that  sorrow 
for  which  nothing  but  prayer,  deep  and  fervent,  is 
an  antidote.  Now  what  was  the  sin  David  commit- 
ted in  numbering  the  people  ?  Some  have  thought 
it  a  contempt  of  God's  promise  that  they  should  be 
innumerable,  and  that,  as  in  the  days  of  Moses,  he 
should  have  been  expressly  commanded  by  God  to 


DAVID.  79 

do  this ;  but  we  think  it  an  evidence  of  pride  in 
David.  Elated  with  the  prosperity  and  extent  of 
his  dominions,  lie  evinced  a  complacency  natural  to 
those  who  have  been  eminently  successful;  there 
seems  to  be  also  an  ambitious  curiosity  to  discover 
how  many  of  his  people  were  fit  for  service ;  and 
with  the  like  feeling,  indulged  by  many  an  aged 
man,  after  a  life  of  prosperity  and  success,  he  would 
have  it  said  he  had  left  a  populous  and  flourishing 
kingdom  to  posterity.  But  these  feelings  of  David 
called  forth  the  displeasure  of  his  God ;  pride  and 
worldly  ambition  were  still  in  his  heart,  and  by 
chastisement  from  the  Lord  they  must  be  subdued. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 2  Samuel  xxiv. 

10  And  David's  heart  smote  him  after  that  he  had  numbered 
the  people.  And  David  said  unto  the  Lord,  I  have  sinned  great- 
ly in  that  I  have  done:  and  now  I'beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  take 
away  the  iniquity  of  thy  servant ;  for  I  have  done  very  foolishly. 

The  Lord^s  Anstver. — 2  Samuel  xxiv. 

1 1  For  when  David  was  up  in  the  morning,  the  word  of  the 
Lord  came  unto  the  prophet  Gad,  David's  seer,  saying, 

12  Go  and  say  unto  David,  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  I  offer  thee 
three  things ;  choose  thee  one  of  them,  that  I  may  do  it  unto 
thee. 

13  So  Gad  came  to  David,  and  told  him,  and  said  unto  him, 
Shall  seven  years  of  famine  come  unto  thee  in  thy  land?  or 
wilt  thou  flee  three  months  before  thine  enemies,  while  they 
pursue  thee  ?  or  that  there  be  three  days'  pestilence  in  thy  land? 
now  advise,  and  see  what  answer  I  shall  return  to  him  that  sent 
me. 


80  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

14  And  David  said  unto  Gad,  I  am  in  a  great  strait:  let  us 
fall  now  into  the  hand  of  the  Lord;  for  his  mercies  are  great: 
and  let  me  not  fall  into  the  hand  of  man. 

15  So  the  Lord  sent  a  pestilence  upon  Israel  from  the  morn- 
ing even  to  the  time  appointed :  and  tliere  died  of  the  people 
from  Dan  even  to  Beer-sheba  seventy  thousand  men. 

16  And  when  the  angel  stretched  out  his  hand  upon  Jerusa- 
lem to  destroy  it,  the  Lord  repented  him  of  the  evil,  and  said 
to  the  angel  that  destroyed  the  people,  It  is  enough :  stay  now 
thine  hand.  And  the  angel  of  the  Lord  was  by  the  threshing- 
place  of  Araunah  the  Jebusite. 


PKAYER  OF  SOLOMON  FOR  WISDOM. 

Solomon  the  son  of  David  liad  succeeded  his 
father  as  ruler  of  Israel.  Being  young  and  inex- 
perienced, he  had,  no  doubt,  felt  his  need  of  great 
wisdom,  to  fill  with  honor  and  justice  the  position 
in  which  he  was  placed ;  his  mind  had  been  filled 
with  his  own  weakness,  so  that  when  the  Lord  ajD- 
peared  to  him  in  a  vision  at  Gibeon  and  asked  the 
desire  of  his  heart,  Solomon  was  ready  to  ask  for  a 
supply  of  heavenly  wisdom  such  as  God  only  could 
bestow  on  man.  The  spirit  of  this  prayer  is  com- 
mended by  God,  and  is  especially  worthy  of  note 
to  those  who  are  in  high  places  of  position  or 
power ;  Solomon  asks  not  for  wealth,  long  life  or 
particular  earthly  distinction,  but  wisdom  to  guide 
and  direct  his  people  in  the  fear  of  that  God  whom 


SOLOMON.  81 


his  father  David  had  so  much  loved  and  honored. 
He  would  be  "strong  in  the  spirit,"  " deep-thought- 
ed,"  clear-eyed, 

"  To  walk  step  for  step,  with  an  angel  beside, 
On  the  heaven  heights  of  truth." 

From  that  fountain  of  living  waters,  "the  wish  to 
know,  that  endless  thirst,"  must  be  satisfied ;  as  the 
fountain  is  pure,  so  will  the  waters  be ;  and  would 
you  be  wise,  come  hither  and  drink. 

"  The  clouds  may  drop  down  titles  and  estates, 
"Wealth  may  seek  us,  but  loisdom  must  be  sought!' 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Kings  iii. 

5  In  Gibeon  the  Lord  appeared  to  Solomon  in  a  dream  by 
night :  and  God  said,  Ask  what  I  shall  give  thee. 

6  And  Solomon  said,  Tiiou  hast  showed  unto  thy  servant 
David  my  father  great  mercy,  according  as  he  walked  before 
thee  in  truth,  and  in  righteousness,  and  in  uprightness  of  heart 
with  thee;  and  thou  hast  kept  for  him  this  great  kindness,  that 
thou  hast  given  him  a  son  to  sit  on  his  throne,  as  it  is  this  day. 

7  And  now,  O  Lord  my  God,  thou  hast  made  thy  servant 
king  instead  of  David  my  father  :  and  1  am  but  a  little  child :  I 
know  not  how  to  go  out  or  come  in. 

8  And  thy  servant  is  in  the  midst  of  thy  people  which  thou 
hast  chosen,  a  great  people,  that  cannot  be  numbered  or  counted 
for  multitude. 

9  Give  therefore  thy  servant  an  understanding  heart  to  judge 
thy  people,  that  1  may  discern  between  good  and  bad :  for  who 
is  able  to  judge  this  thy  so  great  a  people  ? 


82  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 


The  Answer. — 1  Kings  iii. 

1 1  And  God  said  unto  him,  Because  tiiou  hast  asked  this 
thing,  and  hast  not  asked  for  thyself  long  life ;  neither  hast 
asked  riches  for  thyself,  nor  hast  asked  the  life  of  thine  enemies; 
but  hast  asked  for  thyself  understanding  to  discern  judgment : 

12  Behold,  I  have  done  according  to  thy  words:  lo,  I  have 
given  thee  a  wise  and  an  understanding  heart;  so  that  there 
was  none  like  thee  before  thee,  neither  after  thee  shall  any 
arise  like  unto  thee. 

13  And  I  have  also  given  thee  that  which  thou  hast  not  ask- 
ed, both  riches  and  honor:  .so  that  there  shall  not  be  any  among 
the  kings  like  unto  thee  all  thy  days. 

1  Kings  iv. 

29  And  God  gave  Solomon  wisdom  and  understanding  ex- 
ceeding much,  and  largeness  of  heart,  even  as  the  sand  that  is 
on  the  sea  shore. 

30  And  Solomon's  wisdom  excelled  the  wisdom  of  all  the 
children  of  the  east  country,  and  all  the  wisdom  of  Egypt. 

31  For  he  was  wiser  than  all  men. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  SOLOMON  AT  THE  DEDICATION  OF 
THE  TEMPLE. 

"  It  seemed  as  if  a  temple  rose 
Before  me  brightly  there, 
And  in  the  depths  of  its  repose, 
My  soul  o'erflowed  with  prayer." 

"  Be  mute  who  will,  who  can, 
Yet  I  will  praise  thee  with  impassioned  voice. 


SOLOMON".  83 


Me  didst  thou  constitute  a  priest  of  thine, 
In  such  a  temple  as  we  now  behold, 
Reared  for  thy  presence  ;  therefore  am  I  bound 
To  worship." 

About  a  year  after  the  completion  of  tlie  temple, 
tlie  ark  of  the  covenant  was  placed  in  it,  so  that  in 
a  peculiar  manner  it  became  the  abode  of  Jehovah 
in  the  midst  of  Israel.  It  was  now  to  be  dedicated 
to  the  service  and  worship  of  the  living  Grod.  A 
large  multitude  of  worshiping  Israelites,  and  of  the 
chiefs  and  heads  of  the  tribes  had  assembled  to  wit- 
ness the  scene,  and  unite  in  the  solemn  prayer  of 
Solomon.  The  temple  was  the  visible  pledge  of 
Grod's  presence  with  his  people,  as  long  as  they 
adhered  to  his  ordinances  and  loved  his  com- 
mandments. In  pleading  with  God  in  this  prayer 
Solomon  was  a  type  of  Christ.  The  Lord  has  said, 
"  The  silver  and  the  gold  are  mine,"  and  freely  had 
it  been  brought  to  the  temple,  to  add  to  its  beauty 
and  enlaro;e  its  walls;  but  Solomon  reminds  the 
people,  that  heaven,  with  its  boundless  shore,  could 
not  contain  the  Lord  of  all,  much  less  this  temple 
made  with  hands ;  the  ark  might  abide  within  its 
walls,  and  God  would  be  in  the  midst  of  those  who 
came  thither  to  worship  and  love  him,  but  his 
presence  would  still  fill  immensity,  and  "  God  be 
everywhere."  In  the  "  temple "  He  has  however 
"recorded  his  name,"  and  the  Israelites  were  to 
advert  to  it  in  all  their  prayers;  when  they  jour- 


THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 


neyed  far  distant  from  Jerusalem  their  faces  were 
turned  to  it,  as  an  evidence  their  hearts  were  with 
its  worshipers ;  and  when  near  it  they  forsook  not 
the  assembling  of  themselves  together.  This  praj^er 
of  Solomon's  is  one  of  the  most  heartfelt  and  beauti- 
ful in  the  Bible,  and  the  spiritual  reader  will  find  it 
highly  suggestive.  "We  are  satisfied  it  was  an  out- 
pouring of  Solomon's  spirit  to  God,  suggested  by 
the  occasion. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Kings  viii. 

22  And  Solomon  stood  before  the  altar  of  the  Lord  in  the 
presence  of  all  the  congregation  of  Israel,  and  spread  forth  his 
hands  toward  heaven  : 

23  And  he  said,  Lord  God  of  Israel,  there  is  no  God  like 
thee,  in  heaven  above,  or  on  earth  beneath,  who  keepest  cov- 
enant and  mercy  with  thy  servants  that  walk  before  thee  with 
all  their  heart : 

24  Who  hast  kept  with  thy  servant  David  my  father  that 
thou  promisedst  him  :  thou  spakest  also  with  thy  mouth,  and 
hast  fulfilled  it  with  thine  hand,  as  it  is  this  day. 

25  Therefore  now.  Lord  God  of  Israel,  keep  with  thy  servant 
David  my  father  that  thou  promisedst  him,  saying,  There  shall 
not  fail  thee  a  man  in  my  sight  to  sit  on  the  throne  of  Israel ; 
so  that  thy  children  take  heed  to  their  way,  that  they  walk 
before  me  as  thou  hast  walked  before  me. 

26  And  now  O  God  of  Israel,  let  tliy  word,  I  pray  thee,  be 
verified,  which  thou  spakest  unto  thy  servant  David  my  fiither. 

27  But  will  God  indeed  dwell  on  the  earth?  behold,  the 
heaven  and  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain  thee  ;  how  much 
less  this  house  that  I  have  builded  ? 

28  Yet  have  thou  respect  unto  the  prayer  of  Ihy  servant,  and 


SOLOMON".  85 


to  his  supplication,  O  Lord  my  God,  to  hearken  unto  the  cry 
and  to  the  prayer,  which-  thy  servant  prayeth  before  thee  to- 
day: 

29  That  thine  eyes  may  be  open  toward  this  house  night  and 
day,  even  toward  tlie  place  of  which  thou  hast  said,  My  name 
shall  be  there :  that  thou  mayest  hearken  unto  the  prayer  which 
thy  servant  shall  make  toward  this  place. 

30  And  hearken  thou  to  the  supplication  of  thy  servant,  and 
of  thy  people  Israel,  when  they  shall  pray  toward  this  place  : 
and  hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwelling-place :  and  when  thou 
hearest,  forgive. 

3 1  If  any  man  trespass  against  his  neighbor,  and  an  oath  be 
laid  upon  him  to  cause  him  to  swear,  and  the  oath  come  before 
thine  altar  in  this  house : 

32  Then  hear  thou  in  heaven,  and  do,  and  judge  thy  servants, 
condemning  the  wicked,  to  bring  his  way  upon  his  head;  and 
justifying  the  righteous,  to  give  him  according  to  his  righteous- 
ness. 

33  When  thy  people  Israel  be  smitten  down  before  the  ene- 
my, because  they  have  sinned  against  thee,  and  shall  turn  again 
to  thee,  and  confess  thy  name,  and  pray,  and  make  supplication 
unto  thee  in  this  house : 

34  Then  hear  thou  in  heaven,  and  forgive  the  sin  of  thy  peo- 
ple Israel,  and  bring  them  again  unto  the  land  which  thou  gavest 
unto  their  fathers. 

35  When  heaven  is  shut  up,  and  there  is  no  rain,  because 
they  have  sinned  against  thee;  if  they  pray  toward  this  place, 
and  confess  thy  name  and  turn  from  their  sin,  when  thou  afflict- 
est  them : 

36  Then  hear  thou  in  heaven  and  forgive  the  sin  of  thy  serv- 
ants, and  of  thy  people  Israel,  that  thou  teach  them  the  good 
way  wherein  they  should  walk,  and  give  rain  upon  thy  land, 
which  thou  hast  given  to  thy  people  for  an  inheritance. 

6 


THE   PKAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 


37  If  there  be  in  the  land  fomine,  if  there  be  pestilence,  blast- 
ing, mildew,  locust,  or  if  there  be  caterpillar;  if  llieir  eneniy 
besiege  them  in  the  land  of  their  cities ;  whatsoever  plague, 
whatsoever  sickness  there  be; 

38  What  prayer  and  supplication  soever  be  made  by  any 
man,  or  by  all  thy  people  Israel,  which  shall  know  every  man 
the  plague  of  his  own  heart,  and  spread  forth  his  hands  toward 
this  house : 

39  Then  hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwelling  place,  and  forgive, 
and  do,  and  give  to  every  man  according  to  his  ways,  whose 
he^rt  thou  knowest :  (for  thou,  even  thou  only,  knowest  the 
hearts  of  all  the  children  of  men  ;) 

40  That  they  may  fear  thee  all  the  days  that  they  live  in  the 
land  which  thou  gavest  unto  our  fothers. 

41  Moreover  concerning  a  stranger,  that  is  not  of  thy  people 
Israel,  but  cometh  out  of  a  f\ir  country  for  thy  name's  sake; 

42  (For  they  shall  hear  of  thy  great  name,  and  of  thy  strong 
hand,  and  of  thy  stretched  out  arm ;)  when  he  shall  come  and 
pray  toward  this  house; 

43  Hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwelling  place,  and  do  according 
to  all  that  the  stranger  callelh  to  thee  for :  that  all  people  of 
the  earth  may  know  thy  name,  to  fear  thee,  as  do  thy  people 
Israel ;  and  that  they  may  know  that  this  house,  which  I  have 
builded,  is  called  by  thy  name. 

44  If  thy  people  go  out  to  battle  against  their  enemy,  whither- 
soever thou  shall  send  them,  and  shall  pray  unto  the  Lord  to- 
ward the  city  which  thou  hast  chosen,  and  toward  the  house  that 
I  have  built  for  thy  name : 

46  Then  hear  thou  in  heaven  their  prayer  and  their  supplica- 
tion, and  maintain  their  cause. 

46  If  they  sin  against  thee,  (for  there  is  no  man  that  sinrieth 
not,)  and  thou  be  angry  with  them,  and  deliver  them  to  the 
,  enemy,  so  that  they  carry  them  away  captives  unto  tlie  land  of 
the  enemj,  far  or  near ; 


SOLOMOX.  87 


47  Yet  if  they  shall  bethink  themselves  in  the  land  whither 
they  were  carried  captives,  and  repent,  and  make  supplication 
unto  thee  in  the  land  of  them  that  carried  them  captives,  saying, 
We  have  sinned,  and  have  done  perversely,  we  have  committed 
wickedness ; 

48  And  so  return  unto  thee  with  all  their  heart,  and  with 
all  their  soul,  in  the  land  of  their  enemies,  which  led  them 
away  captive,  and  pray  unto  thee  toward  their  land,  which  thou 
gavest  unto  their  fathers,  the  city  which  thou  hast  chosen,  and 
the  house  which  I  have  built  for  thy  name : 

49  Then  hear  thou  their  prayer  and  their  supplication  in 
heaven  thy  dwelling-place,  and  maintain  their  cause. 

50  And  forgive  thy  people  that  have  sinned  against  thee,  and 
all  their  transgressions  wherein  they  have  transgressed  against 
thee,  and  give  them  compassion  before  them  who  carried  them 
captive,  that  they  may  have  compassion  on  them  : 

51  For  they  be  thy  people  and  thine  inheritance,  which  thou 
broughtest  forth  out  of  Egypt,  from  the  midst  of  the  furnace  of 
iron: 

52  That  thine  eyes  may  be  open  unto  the  supplication  of  thy 
servant,  and  unto  the  supplication  of  thy  people  Israel,  to  heark- 
en  unto  them  in  all  that  they  call  for  unto  thee. 

53  For  thou  didst  separate  them  from  among  all  the  people 
of  the  earth,  to  be  thine  inheritance,  as  thou  spakest  by  the 
hand  of  Moses  thy  servant,  when  thou  broughtest  our  fathers 
out  of  Egypt,  O  Lord  God. 

54  And  it  was  so,  that  when  Solomon  had  made  an  end  of 
praying  all  this  prayer  and  supplication  unto  the  Lokd,  he  arose 
from  before  the  altar  of  the  Lord,  from  kneeling  on  his  kneea 
with  his  hands  spread  up  to  heaven 

The  Lord's  Answer. — 1  Kings  ix. 

3  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  I  have  heard  thy  prayer  and 
thy  supplication,  that  thou  hast  made  before  me :  I  have  hal- 


THE   PEAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 


lowed  tins  house,  which  thou  hast  built,  to  put  my  name 
there  for  ever;  and  mine  eyes  and  mine  heart  shall  be  there 
perpetually. 

4  And  if  thou  wilt  walk  before  me,  as  David  thy  father 
walked,  in  integrity  of  heart,  and  in  uprightness,  to  do  accord- 
ing to  all  that  I  have  coramande"d  thee,  and  wilt  keep  my  stat- 
utes and  my  judgments : 

5  Then  I  will  establish  the  throne  of  thy  kingdom  upon 
Israel  for  ever,  as  I  promised  to  David  thy  father,  saying,  There 
shall  not  fail  thee  a  man  upon  the  throne  of  Israel. 


THE  PROPHET'S  PRAYER  FOR  THE  RESTORATION  OF 
JEROBOAM'S  WITHERED  HAND. 

Jeroboam  had  neglected  to  worsMp  God  at  the 
temple,  and  wickedly  built  another  altar  at  Bethel, 
and  while  a  prophet — "  a  man  of  God  out  of  Judah," 
was  prophesying  against  the  altar,  the  king  stretch- 
ed forth  his  hand  to  lay  it  violently  upon  him,  and 
by  a  sudden  interposition  of  Providence  it  became 
withered.  The  suffering  man  thus  thwarted  in  his 
resolve,  entreats  that  the  prophet  would  pray  that 
his  hand  might  be  restored;  he  would  have  him 
pray  to  the  Lord  his  God.  We  see  by  this  request 
his  confidence  in  his  idols  and  his  self-invented  sac- 
rifices was  shaken.  The  sudden  judgment  and  the 
rending  of  the  altar  had  produced  conviction  in  him, 
and  he  knows  nothing  but  prayer  to  the  Lord  God 
of  the  prophet  will  avail.     After  the  prayer  and 


JEEOBOASL  89 


restoration  we  hear  no  thankful  strain  from  Jero- 
boam's hps  to  the  God  who  had  restored  him;  a 
sense  of  gratitude  to  the  prophet  is  evinced  by  his 
offer  of  hospitality  for  the  present,  and  a  reward  in 
the  future ;  here  let  the  reader  pause  for  a  moment, 
and  consider  liow  hke  the  world  is  the  conduct  of 
Jeroboam,  how  often,  like  him,  is  one  the  recipient 
of  God's  favor,  but  no  word  of  thankfulness  is  heard. 
One  is,  perhaps  the  object  of  God's  mercy  in  some 
special  deliverance  from  evil,  but  there  is  no  upward 
glancing  of  the  eye,  no  Hfting  of  the  voice  of  thanks- 
giving to  heaven,  "  Pensioner  of  God  be  grateful ; 
let  thy  full  heart  pour  out  its  treasure  of  thanks  to 
Him  who  has  sent  the  blessing." 

"  A  •wicked  man  scornetb  prayer  ;  in  the  shallow  sophistry  of 
reason, 

He  derideth  the  silly  hope  that  God  can  be  moved  by  suppli- 
cation ; 

But  I  l:new  that  his  reasonings  were  false,  for  the  promise  of 
the  Scripture  is  true." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Kings  xiii. 

6  And  the  king  answered  and  said  unto  the  man  of  God, 
Intreat  now  the  face  of  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  pray  for  me, 
that  my  hand  may  be  restored  me  again.  And  the  man  of  God 
besought  the  Lord,  and  the  king's  hand  was  restored  him  again, 
and  became  as  it  was  before. 

7  And  the  king  said  unto  the  man  of  God,  Come  home  with 
me,  and  refresh  thyself,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  reward. 

8  And  the  man  of  God  said  unto  the  king,  If  thou  wilt  give 
me  half  thine  house,  I  will  not  go  in  with  thee,  neither  will  I 
eat  bread  nor  drink  water  in  this  place. 


90        THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 


THE  POWER  OF  EFFECTUAL  FERVENT  PRATER. 

He  wlio  makes  the  following  prayer  is  Elijah  the 
Tishbite  ;  his  name  signifies  "The  Lord  m}^  God  is 
He."  He  was  raised  up  under  the  reign  of  the 
most  wicked  king  of  Israel,  and  his  introduction  to 
our  notice  on  the  Scripture  page  is  rather  abrupt. 
Ahab  had  probably  been  repeatedly  warned  by  Eli- 
jah to  forsake  his  idols  and  worship  God,  but  he 
scorned  the  admonition.  To  show  him  the  power 
of  prayer,  and  give  him  an  uncontrovertible  proof 
that  he  would  be  heard  and  answered,  he  asks  that 
the  Lord  will  send  neither  dew  nor  rain  for  the 
space  of  some  years,  and  not  until  he  again  prayed 
for  it,  should  it  come  upon  the  earth.  AVe  find  the 
answer  to  this  prayer  recorded  in  the  New  Testa- 
iTient.  Doubtless  the  prophet  was  instructed  by  the 
Lord  to  offer  this  petition  ;  and  to  some  it  may  seem 
a  strange  request  to  make  in  prayer.  The  glory  of 
God  andthe  interests  of  true  religion  were  concern- 
ed in  it,  however,  and  there  is  much  of  wise  zeal  as 
well  as  true  benevolence  in  it.  The  benefit  of  the 
calamity  on  the  minds  of  apostate  Israel  would  far 
outweigh  the  misery  attending  it.  Elijah  was  a 
most  distinguished  servant  of  God,  and  endowed 
with  extraordinary  gifts  for  the  purpose  of  exciting 
a  hardened  generation. 


ELIJAH.  91 


The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Kings  xvii. 

1  And  Elijah  said  unto  Ahab,  As  the  Lord  God  of  Israe^ 
liveth,  before  whom  I  stand,  there  shall  not  be  dew  nor  rain 
these  years,  but  according  to  my  word. 

The  Ansiuer. — James  v. 

17  And  it  rained  not  by  the  space  of  three  years  and  six 
mokths. 

18  And  Elijah  prayed  again,  and  the  heaven  gave  rain ;  and 
the  earth  brought  forth  her  fruit. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  ELIJAH  FOR   THE   RESTORATION  OF 
THE  WIDOW'S  SON". 

Never  before  bad  a  prayer  like  tbis  ever  been 
made  and  answered ;  and  well  migbt  tbe  motber,  as 
tbe  good  man  called  upon  Him  wbo  only  could 
answer,  be  confirmed  in  ber  faitb,  and  praise  tbe 
Lord  God  of  Israel.  Tbere  lay  all  tbat  remained 
of  one  wbo  was  once  dear;  tbe  soul,  tbe  living, 
breatbing  power,  tbat  bad  once  dwelt  in  it,  was  no 
longer  tbere ;  and  tbe  expression  in  tbe  prayer  of 
tbe  propbet,  "Let  tbe  soul  come  into  tbis  body 
again,"  proves  to  us  its  complete  separation  at 
deatb.  It  is  wben  gazing  at  sucb  a  scene  as  tbe 
prayer  presents,  tbat  we  are  furnisbed  witb  an  argu- 
ment, tbe  bardest  and  most  unbelieving  are  forced 
to  admit,  for  tbe  immortality  of  tbe  buman  soul. 


92  THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

The   motlier  for  whose  child  Elijah  prays  was  a 
widow,  and  he  had  dwelt  with  her  and  been  miracu- 
lously sustained  during  the  famine  consequent  upon 
the  dry  weather  which  followed  his  prayer.     It  ap- 
pears he  was  in  the  house  of  this  woman  when  her 
son  died.     She  had  been  a  worshiper  of  Baal  in  by- 
gone days,  but  seems  to  have  been  convinced  of 
God's  power,  as  manifested  in  the  drouth  in  answer 
to  prayer,  and  from  her  language  to  Elijah  we  infer 
she  imagined  this  heavy  affliction  was  sent  upon  her 
in  consequence  of  her  sin,  and  that  he  was  in  some 
way  involved  in  the  death  of  her  child.    The  "loft" 
where  Elijah  carried  the  body  to  pray  over  it,  was 
an  upper  room  dedicated  to  communion  with  God 
and  meditation ;  the  word  in  the  Greek  has  this 
meaning  attached  to  it,  and  no  doubt  it  was  the 
place  of  holy,  sacred,  and   sweet   communion,  be- 
tween the  prophet  and  the  High  and  Holy  One. 
Like  many  a  similar  occurrence  in  our  own  time, 
there  was  mystery  hanging  round  this  afflictive  dis- 
pensation.    Here  was  a  woman  who  loved  God  and 
entertained  his  prophets,  bowed  down  in  grief  the 
deepest,  saddest,  earth   can  know.     Elijah   cannot 
understand  it,  and  he  seems   to   expostulate   with 
God  in  his  prayer. 

"  0  Death  all  eloquent !  you  only  prove 
What  dust  we  dote  on  when  'tis  man  we  love." 

"  Oh  !  what  a  shadow  o'er  the  heart  is  flung, 
When  peals  the  requiem  of  the  loved  and  young." 


ELIJAH.  93 

God,  in  the  miracle  of  restoring  life  to  him  who  lay 
then  in  that  "  deep  stillness,  in  that  dreamless  sleep," 
intended  a  greater  display  of  his  glory  and  more 
peculiar  favor  to  this  widow  than  the  mere  sparing 
of  his  life  could  have  been.  He  was  dead,  but  God 
heard  Elijah's  prayer,  and  then  sank  deep  in  this 
widowed  heart  the  lesson  that  God  was  the  author 
and  giver,  the  hearer  and  answerer.  How  does  tliis 
prayer  encourage  us  to  plead  for  all  who  are  in  sor- 
row !  It  is  true  we  cannot  work  miracles,  but  we 
can  implore  the  blessing  of  God  on  an  affliction, 
so  that  the  sorrowing  heart  may  rejoice  like  this 
widow's. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Kings  xvii. 

19  And  he  said  unto  her,  Give  me  thy  son.  And  he  tooli 
him  out  of  her  bosom,  and  carried  him  up  into  a  loft,  where  he 
abode,  and  laid  him  upon  his  own  bed. 

20  And  he  cried  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  O  Lord  my  God, 
hast  thou  also  brought  evil  upon  the  widow  with  whom  I  so- 
journ, by  slaying  her  son  1 

21  And  he  stretched  himself  upon  the  child  three  times,  and 
cried  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  O  Lord  my  God,  I  pray  thee,  let 
this  child's  soul  come  into  him  again. 

The  Lord^s  Answer. — 1  Kings  xvii. 

22  And  the  Lord  heard  the  voice  of  Elijah;  and  the  soul  of 
the  child  came  into  him  again,  and  he  revived. 

24  And  the  woman  said  to  Elijah,  Now  by  this  I  know  that 
thou  art  a  man  of  God,  and  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  in  thy 
mouth  is  truth. 


94  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  ELIJAH  ON  MOUNT  CARMEL. 

Elijah  seems  distressed  at  the  wavering  conduct 
of  his  people ;  sometimes  thej  worship  Jehovah  and 
then  asfain  turn  back  to  their  idols  or  to  Baal.  He 
calls  upon  them  to  decide  whom  they  will  serve — if 
Baal  be  the  true  God,  he  exhorts  them  to  worship 
him,  but  if  not,  he  would  implore  them  to  worship 
the  Creator  of  the  world.  The  prophet's  language 
is  full  of  sarcasm,  and  even  pours  ridicule  upon 
them,  while  they  are  going  through  ceremonies  as 
absurd  as  they  prove  fruitless ;  and  then  he  requests 
them  to  come  with  him,  at  the  evening  hour,  to  call 
upon  the  God  he  served.  Before  them  stood  the 
altar,  and  upon  it  the  burnt  offering  prepared  for 
the  worship  of  Baal,  the  god  to  whom  the  people's 
prayers  had  been  offered;  but  in  the  expressive 
language  of  Scripture,  "  There  was  no  voice,  or  any 
that  answered."  In  this  prayer  Elijah  beseeches 
God  to  show  to  his  people,  that  he  was  indeed  the 
God  of  their  fathers  and  their  nation,  and  that  all 
he  had  done,  even  in  regard  to  the  famine,  was  in 
direct  obedience  to  the  command  of  the  Almighty. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Kings  xyiii. 

36  And  it  came  to  pass  at  the  time  of  the  offering  of  the  eve- 
ning sacrifice,  that  Elijah  the  prophet  came  near  and  said,  Lord 
God  of  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  of  Israel,  let  it  be  known  this  day 


ELISHA.  95 

that  thou  art  God  in  Israel,  and  that  I  am  thy  servant,  and  that 
I  have  done  all  these  things  at  thy  vv^ord. 

37  Hear  me,  O  Lord,  hear  me,  that  this  people  may  know 
that  thou  art  the  Lord  God,  and  that  thou  hast  turned  their 
heart  back  again. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — 1  Kings  xviii. 

38  Then  the  fire  of  the  Lord  fell,  and  consumed  the  burnt 
sacrifice,  and  the  wood,  and  the  stones,  and  the  dust,  and  licked 
up  the  water  that  was  in  the  trench. 

39  And  when  all  the  people  saw  it,  they  fell  on  their  faces : 
and  they  said.  The  Lord,  he  is  the  God ;  the  Lord,  he  is  the 
God. 


A  PRAYER  OF  ELISHA  FOR  HIS  SERVANT. 

God  had  given  most  extraordinary  powers  to 
Elislia,  botli  in  working  miracles  and  in  curing  tlie 
sick ;  but  whenever  we  see  an  exhibition  of  them, 
they  are  nearly  always  preceded  by  prayer.  The 
servant  for  whom  the  prophet  now  prays  had  suc- 
ceeded Gehazi,  who  by  falsehood  had  secured  the 
present  which  Naaman  would  have  bestowed  on 
Elisha,  in  remembrance  of  the  wonderful  cure  he 
had  performed  upon  him.  In  consequence  of  this 
sin  Gehazi  was  seized  with  leprosy,  and  forfeited  his 
place  as  servant  to  the  prophet.  Benhadad  perhaps 
remembered  the  fire  from  heaven  which  had  con- 
sumed the  small  companies  which  marched  against 


96  THE   PRAYERS   OF   TUE   BIBLE. 

Elijah,  and,  as  tliougli  there  would  be  strength  in 
numbers,  he  had  marshaled  a  large  army  to  appre- 
hend Elisha.  When  the  servant  of  the  prophet  saw 
the  host  which  compassed  the  city — 

"  The  troubled  blood  through  his  pale  face  was  seen 
To  come  and  go,  with  tidings  from  the  heart, 
As  it  a  running  messenger  had  been." 

The  prophet  reminds  him  that  God  is  on  their  side ; 
with  the  eye  of  faith  he  sees  the  hosts  of  heaven 
gathered  for  his  defence,  and,  strong  in  the  might 
of  God,  he  prays  that  the  eyes  of  his  servant  may 
be  opened  to  behold  what  was  even  now  before  his 
mortal  vision. 

"  Fear  not,  I  am  with  thee.     0  be  not  dismayed, 
For  I  am  thy  God,  and  will  still  give  thee  aid. 
I'll  strengthen  thee,  help  thee,  and  cause  thee  to  stand, 
Upheld  by  my  mighty,  omnipotent  hand." 

The  Prayer  as  recoi'ded. — 2  Kings  vi. 

16  And  he  answered,  Fear  not:  for  they  that  be  with  us  are 
more  than  they  that  be  with  them. 

17  And  Elisha  prayed,  and  said,  Lokd,  I  pray  thee  open  his 
eyes,  that  he  may  see. 

The  Ansiver. 

17  And  the  Lord  opened  the  eyes  of  the  young  man ;  and 
he  saw :  and,  behold,  the  mountain  was  full  of  horses  and 
chariots  of  fire  round  about  Elisha. 


HEZEKIAH.  97 


PRAYER  OF  HEZEKIAH. 

Hezekiali  had  just  received  a  letter  from  Sen- 
nacherib, the  king  of  Assyria,  who,  having  invaded 
and  laid  waste  much  of  the  kingdom  of  Jndah,  was 
contemplating  an  attack  on  the  capital.  Hezekiah 
proposed  to  capitulMe  on  certain  terms,  but  was 
answered  by  a  most  insolent  letter  from  Sennacherib. 
This  haughty  king  had  dared  to  raise  his  voice 
against  the  Most  High,  his  heart  was  filled  with 
pride  and  ambition,  and  he  laughed  to  scorn  the 
counsels  of  the  God  who  could  crush  him  as  a  moth. 
Hezekiah  goes  into  the  house  of  God  to  consult  him 
by  prayer  in  this  matter.  His  mind  is  stayed  on 
the  Almighty,  and  his  prayer  is  fervent  and  heart- 
felt. "Jehovah,  the  God  of  Israel  who  dwells  be- 
tween the  cherubim  on  the  mercy-seat,  had  been 
regarded  by  Sennacherib  as  the  local  deity  of  a  small 
region,  but  Hezekiah  implored  the  Lord  to  make 
himself  known  as  the  Creator  of  all  things,  the  God 
of  the  heaven  and  the  earth." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 2  Kings  xix. 

14  And  Hezekiah  received  the  letter  of  the  hcand  of  the  mess- 
engers, and  read  it:  and  Hezekiah  went  up  into  the  house  of 
the  Lord,  and  spread  it  before  the  Lord. 

16  And  Hezekiah  prayed  before  the  Lord,  and  said,  O  Lord 
God  of  Israel,  which  dwellest  between  the  cherubims,  thou  art 


98  THE   PEAYEBS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

the  God,  even  thou  alone,  of  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth' 
thou  hast  made  heaven  and  earth. 

16  Lord,  bow  down  thine  ear,  and  hear:  open,  Lord,  thine 
eyes,  and  see :  and  hear  the  words  of  Sennacherib,  which  hath 
sent  him  to  reproach  the  living  God. 

17  Of  a  truth.  Lord,  the  kings  of  Assyria  have  destroyed  the 
nations  and  their  lands, 

18  And  have  cast  their  gods  into  the  fire:  for  they  were  no 
gods,  but  the  work  of  men's  hands,  wood  and  stone  :  therefore 
they  have  destroyed  them. 

19  Now  therefore,  O  Lord,  our  God,  I  beseech  thee,  save 
thou  us  out  of  his  hand,  that  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth  may 
know  that  thou  art  the  Lord  God,  even  thou  only. 

The  Answer,  hy  Isaiah. — 2  Kings  xix. 

20  Then  Isaiah  the  son  of  Amoz  sent  to  Hezekiah,  saying, 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  That  which  thou  hast 
prayed  to  rae  against  Sennacherib  king  of  Assyria  I  have  heard. 


PRAYER  OF  HEZEKIAH  IN  SICKNESS. 

"  How  full  of  dread,  how  full  of  hope,  loometh  inevitable  death, 
Of  dread,  for  all  have  sinned;  . 

The  dread  is  drowned  in  joy,  the  hope  is  filled  with  immortal- 
ity." 

Prostrate  on  a  bed  of  languishing  and  pain  lies 
Hezekiah,  the  man  who  had  walked  before  God  in 
■uprightness  of  heart,  and  used  his  influence  to  pro- 
mote his  worship  during  many  years  of  a  useful  life^ 


HEZEKIAH.  99 

Death  is  hovering  over  his  dwelling,  and  "sickness 
sits  caverned  in  his  hollow  eye."  And  what  are 
the  thoughts  of  this  good  man  in  view  of  the  ap- 
proach of  the  "king  of  terrors."  The  son  of  Amoz 
had  come  with  the  message  of  the  Lord,  for  him  to 
"set  his  house  in  order,"  for  his  death  was  inevita- 
ble, to  make  without  delay  a  full  and  final  settle- 
ment of  domestic  and  civil  affairs,  and  prepare  for 
that  event  which  must  come  to  all — 

"The  knell,  the  shroud,  the  mattock,  and  the  grave, 
The  deep,  damp  vault,  the  darkness,  and  the  worm." 

As  if  to  shut  out  the  world,  Hezekiah  turns  his  face 
to  the  wall  of  his  chamber,  and  prays  not  for  com- 
posure to  meet  the  last  great  adversary — no !  for  the 
"king  of  terrors  would  be  to  him  the  prince  of 
peace" — but  he  "wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
around  him,"    and,  in   communion   with   the   Al- 
mighty One,  who  holds  in  his  hand  the    keys  of 
life  and  death,  prays  for  life.     Hezekiah  had  lived 
"  in  deeds,  not  years,  in  thoughts,  not  breaths,  in 
feelings,  not  in  figures  on  a  dial;"  and  his  reluctance 
to  die  must  be  ascribed  to  the  state  of  his  nation 
and  family,  for  whose  iiiterests  he  had  labored  in 
the  love  and  fear  of  God.    It  will  be  remembered 
at  the  time  of  Hezekiah's  sickness  he  had  no  son ; 
Manasseh  was  not  born  till  three  years  after;  by 
his  death,  therefore,  this  branch  of  David's  family 
would  have  become  extinct.     He  therefore  desired 


100  THE   PKAYEKS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

restoration  to  life  and  health,  that  he  might  work  a 
little  longer  for  the  sake  of  true  religion ;  and  his 
prayer  is  to  this  effect.  Tears  flow  freely  with  his 
words ;  each  drop  of  sorrow  is  itself  a  prayer,  and 
God  gathers  them  into  his  treasury,  as  he  asks  for 
"the  life  of  heart  and  life  of  soul  mingled  with  life 
for  the  body." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 2  Kings  xx. 

1  In  those  days  was  Hezekiah  sick  unto  death.  And  the 
prophet  Isaiah  the  son  of  Amoz  came  to  him,  jind  said  unto  him, 
Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Set  thine  house  in  order;  for  thou  shalt 
die,  and  not  live. 

2  Then  he  turned  his  face  to  the  wall,  and  prayed  unto  the 
Lord,  saying, 

3  I  beseech  thee,  O  Lord,  remember  now  how  I  have  walked 
before  thee  in  truth  and  with  a  perfect  heart,  and  have  done 
that  which  is  good  in  thy  sight.     And  Hezekiah  wept  sore. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — 2  Kings  xx. 

4  And  it  came  to  pass,  before  Isaiah  was  gone  out  into  the 
middle  court,  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  him,  saying, 

5  Turn  again,  and  tell  Hezekiah  the  captain  of  my  people, 
Thus  saith  the  Lord,  the  God  of  David  thy  father,  I  have  heard 
thy  prayer,  I  have  seen  thy  tears :  behold,  I  will  heal  thee :  on 
the  third  day  thou  shalt  go  up  unto  the  house  of  the  Lord. 

6  And  I  will  add  unto  thy  days  fifteen  years;  and  I  will  de- 
liver thee  and  this  city  out  of  the  hand  of  the  king  of  Assyria ; 
and  I  will  defend  this  city  for  mine  own  sake,  and  for  my  serv- 
ant David's  sake. 


JABEZ.  101 


PEAYER  OF  JABEZ. 


NotliiDg  is  recorded  of  the  parentage  or  family  of 
this  man  of  prayer,  except  that  he  was  eminent  for 
wisdom,  valor,  and  piety.  His  prayer  is  full  of 
earnest  faith,  and  like  Jacob,  he  seems  to  wrestle, 
and  will  not  depart  without  a  blessing.  He  is  led 
into  war  with  the  Canaanites,  but  conducts  it  not  in 
his  own  strength,  but  in  faith  and  prayer.  In  the 
land  of  Canaan  believers  under  the  Old  Testament 
dispensation,  saw  a  type  of  heaven,  and  in  their 
wars  the  conflict  of  God's  people  with  their  spiritual 
enemies. 

"  Restraining  prayer,  ■^e  cease  to  fight ; 
Prayer  makes  the  Christian's  armor  bright ; 
And  Satan  trembles  when  he  sees 
The  weakest  saint  upon  his  knees." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Clirouicles  iv. 

10  And  Jabez  called  on  the  God  of  Israel,  saying,  Oh  that 
thou  vvouldst  bless  me  indeed,  and  enlarge  my  coast,  and  that 
thine  hand  might  be  with  me,  and  that  thou  wouldest  keep  me 
from  evil,  that  it  may  not  grieve  me  ! 

T?ie  Lord's  Answer. — 1  Chronicles  iv. 
10  And  God  granted  him  that  w^hich  he  requested. 


102  THE  PRAYERS   OF  THE  BIBLE. 


THE  UNITED  PRAYER  OF  AN  ARMY. 

The  army  that  was  marshaled  for  action  number- 
ed four  and  forty  thousand  and  seven  hundred  and 
three  score.  The  conflict  is  with  the  Hagarites,  or 
Ishmaehtes — a  nation  of  plunderers.  The  war  was 
a  just  one  and  undertaken  in  the  fear  of  God. 

"  Dream  not  of  their  figbt  as  of  a  duel 
Or  the  local  wounds  of  head  and  heel." 

Oh  no ;  the  Lord  of  battles  was  on  their  side,  and 
their  united  prayer,  as  it  ascended  to  his  high  and 
holy  throne,  was  heard  and  answered.  The  multi- 
tude that  were  taken  prisoners  by  them,  may  con- 
vey an  idea  of  the  superiority  of  numbers  among 
the  enemy.  A  firm  trust  on  the  Almighty  will 
always  be  expressed  in  humble,  heartfelt  prayer; 
anywhere  and  everywhere  Grod  will  listen  to  his 
children  when  they  cry ;  the  remembrance  that  the 
"race  is  not  to  the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the 
strong,"  should  encourage  us  to  be  instant  in  season, 
and  always  in  a  praj^erful  spirit.  There  is  some- 
thing impressive  and  affecting  in  the  united  cry  of 
these  j)rayerful  soldiers,  each  one  of  whom  was  en- 
gaging in  a  spiritual  conflict,  which  nerved  him  for 
this  battle  with  the  Hagarites.  God  is  with  them, 
and  victory  is  theirs. 


ASA.  103 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Chronicles  v. 

18  The  sons  of  Reuben  and  the  Gadites,  and  half  the  tribe 
of  Manasseh,  of  valiant  men,  men  able  to  bear  buckler  and 
sword,  and  to  shoot  with  bow,  and  skillful  in  war,  were  four  and 
forty  thousand  seven  hundred  and  threescore,  that  went  out  to 
the  war. 

19  And  they  made  war  with  the  Hagarites,  with  Jetur,  with 
Nephish,  and  Nodab. 

20  And  they  were  helped  against  them,  and  the  Hagarites 
were  delivered  into  their  hand,  and  all  that  were  with  them  :  for 
they  cried  to  God  in  the  battle,  and  he  was  intreated  of  them ; 
because  they  put  their  trust  in  him. 


PRAYER  OF  ASA. 


Asa  was  son  and  successor  of  Abijam,  on  the 
tlirone  of  Judah,  and  employed  tlie  first  part  of  his 
reign,  -whiclL  was  peaceful,  in  the  furtherance  of  re- 
ligion and  peaceful  overthrowing  of  idolatry.  At 
the  time  this  prayer  was  made,  Asa  was  character- 
ized by  exemplary  piety,  and  his  prayer  was  one  of 
faith  and  dependence  on  God.  Zerah,  an  Ethiopian 
king,  came  into  his  territories  with  "a  host  of  a 
thousand  thousand,  and  three  hundred  chariots;" 
Asa  met  him  with  six  hundred  thousand,  and  de- 
feated him;  the  Ethiopians  were  entirely  over- 
thrown and  dispersed,  and  the  spoil  which  had  been 
deposited  in  Gerar,  of  the  Philistines,  and  in  other 


lO-i  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBI/E. 

cities  of  the  vicinity  was  taken.  Here  tlie  "whole 
man,  the  whole  army,  is  given  over  to  the  care  and 
guardianship  of  God ;  there  is  a  call  for  help,  the 
confession  that  just  such  a  protector  is  needed,  as 
God  Avould  be  in  the  fierce  battle  before  Asa  and 
his  hosts  Experience  has  taught  him  that  God  has 
never  yet  failed  to  hear  prayer,  and  the  future  is 
filled  with  ho|)e  drawn  from  the  promises  of  a  God 
of  truth  and  mercy. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded, — 2  Chronicles  xiv. 

1 1  And  Asa  cried  unto  the  Lord  his  God,  and  said,  Lord,  it 
is  nothing  with  thee  to  help,  whether  with  many,  or  with  them 
that  have  no  power:  help  us,  O  Lord  our  God;  for  we  rest  on 
thee,  and  in  thy  name  we  go  against  this  multitude.     O  Lord'  ' 
thou  art  our  God ;  let  not  man  prevail  against  thee. 

The  Lord^s  Answer. — 2  Chronicles  xiv. 

12  So  the  Lord  smote  the  Ethiopians  before  Asa,  and  before 
Judah ;  and  the  Ethiopians  fled. 

13  And  Asa  and  the  people  that  were  with  him  pursued 
them  unto  Gerar:  and  the  Ethiopians  were  overthrown,  that 
they  could  not  recover  themselves;  for  they  were  destroyed  be- 
fore the  Lord,  and  before  his  host ;  and  they  carried  away  very 
much  spoil. 


JEHOSHAPHAT.  105 


PRAYER  OF  JEHOSHAPHAT. 

Jeliosliapliat  was  a  king  of  Judali  and  the  succes- 
sor of  Asa.  He  was  a  man  of  distinguished  piety, 
and  enjoyed  a  long  reign  of  twenty -five  years. 
It  is  said  of  him,  that  the  more  his  riches  and  hon- 
ors increased,  the  more  ' '  his  heart  was  lifted  up  in 
the  ways  of  the  Lord."  During  his  reign  the  king- 
dom of  Judah  was  invaded  by  the  Moabites  and 
others ;  and  so  great  were  their  forces,  that  the  king 
and  people  were  thrown  into  consternation.  It  was 
a  time  to  call  upon  the  Lord,  a  time  of  danger  and 
peril,  and  Jehoshaphat  assembled  the  people  at  Je- 
rusalem, proclaimed  a  fast,  and  made  the  following 
remarkable  prayer,  which  was  almost  immediately 
answered  by  the  promise  of  certain  victory.  "  This 
was  an  instance  of  a  fast  observed  in  obedience  to 
the  proclamation  of  a  chief  magistrate,  who  acted 
with  the  power  his  station  gave,  and  not  by  the 
spirit  of  prophecy."  The  Lord's  answer  came  bj"a 
Levite  descended  from  Asaph,  and  not  by  a  high 
priest.  The  language  of  this  prayer  is  full  of  hum- 
ble and  genuine  faith.  Jehoshaphat  feels  his  own 
inability  to  combat  against  the  powerful  forces  of 
the  enemy,  relies  on  God  for  help,  appealing  to  him 
as  to  the  justice  of  his  cause.  One  expression  of  the 
prayer  strikes  us  as  remarkably  expressive  ;  it  is — 
"  Neither  know  we  what  to  do ;  but  our  eyes  are 
■upon  thee."     How  it  tells  of  man's  weakness  and 


106  THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

God's  strengtli,  and  in  one  sliort  sentence  expresses 
tlie  feelings  of  every  child  of  God.  We  would 
recommend  especial  attention  to  the  reading  of  the 
chapter  in  which  this  prayer  is  recorded;  it  is  full 
of  interest,  and  is  one  of  the  most  striking  instances 
of  prayer  heard  and  answered  that  the  Scripture 
contains. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 2  Chronicles  xx. 

5  And  Jehoshaphat  stood  in  tlie  congregation  of  Judah  and 
Jerusalem,  in  tlie  house  of  the  Lord,  before  the  new  court, 

6  And  said,  O  Lord  God  of  our  fathers,  art  not  thou  God  in 
heaven?  and  rulest  not  thou  over  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  hea- 
then? and  in  thine  hand  is  there  not  power  and  might,  so  that 
none  is  able  to  withstand  thee  ? 

7  Art  not  thou  our  God,  who  didst  drive  out  the  inhabitants 
of  this  land  before  thy  people  Israel,  and  gavest  it  to  the  seed 
of  Abraham  thy  friend  for  ever  ? 

8  And  they  dwelt  therein,  and  have  built  thee  a  sanctuary 
therein  for  thy  name,  saying, 

9  If,  when  evil  cometh  upon  us,  as  the  sword,  judgment,  or 
pestilence,  or  famine,  we  stand  before  this  house,  and  in  thy 
presence,  (for  thy  name  is  in  this  house,)  and  cry  unto  thee  in 
our  atfliction,  then  thou  wilt  hear  and  help. 

10  And  now,  behold,  the  children  of  Amnion  and  Moab  and 
mount  Seir,  whom  thou  wouldest  not  let  Israel  invade,  when 
they  came  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  but  they  turned  from  them, 
and  destroyed  them  not ; 

11  Behold,  I  say,  how  they  reward  us,  to  come  to  cast  us 
©ut  of  thy  possession,  which  thou  hast  given  us  to  inherit. 

12  O  our  God,  wilt  thou  not  judge  them?  for  we  have  no 
might  against  this  great  company  that  cometh  against  us;  nei- 
ther know  we  what  to  do :  but  our  eyes  are  upon  thee. 


HEZEKIAH.  107 


The  LorcVs  Ansiver. — 2  Chronicles  xx. 

14  Then  upon  Jahaziel  the  son  of  Zechariah,  the  son  of 
Benaiah,  the  son  of  Jeiel,  the  son  of  Mattaniah,  a  Levite  of  the 
sons  of  Asaph,  came  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  in  the  midst  of  the 
congregation ; 

15  And  he  said,  Hearl^en  ye,  all  Judah,  and  ye  inhabitants  of 
Jerusalem,  and  thou  king  Jehoshaphat,  Thus  saith  the  Lord 
unto  you,  Be  not  afraid  nor  dismayed  by  reason  of  this  great 
multitude  ;  for  the  battle  is  not  yours,  but  God's. 

16  To-morrow  go  ye  down  against  them:  behold,  they  come 
up  by  the  cliff  of  Ziz  ;  and  ye  shall  find  them  at  the  end  of  the 
brook,  before  the  wilderness  of  Jeruel. 

17  Ye  shall  not  need  to  fight  in  this  battle:  set  yourselves, 
stand  ye  still,  and  see  the  salvation  of  the  Lord  with  you,  O 
Judah  and  Jerusalem:  fear  not,  nor  be  dismayed;  to-morrow 
go  out  against  them :  for  the  Lord  will  be  with  you. 

18  And  Jehoshaphat  bowed  his  head  with  his  face  to  the 
ground:  and  all  Judah  and  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem  fell 
before  the  Lord,  worshiping  the  Lord. 


PRAYER  OF  HEZEKIAH  FOR  THOSE  WHO  HAD  EATEN 
THE  PASSOVER  WITHOUT  PURIFICATION. 

It  was  the  custom  for  the  people  to  assemble  at 
Jerusalem  some  days  before  the  Passover,  and  pre- 
pare themselves,  by  removing  all  false  altars  and  all 
abominations  from  the  city.  Many  of  the  ten  tribes 
had  come  up  at  a  very  short  notice  and  had  no  time 
for  the  customary  j^reparation,  and  were  therefore 
considered  ceremonially  unclean.     Hezekiah  prays 


108  THE  PRAYERS   OF   THE  BIBLE. 

that  God  will  pardon  every  omission,  as  their  hearts 
are  in  the  observance.  To  the  prayer  is  granted  a 
favorable  answer,  and  they  were  allowed  to  eat  the 
Passover  when  the  Levites  had  killed  it  for  them. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 2  Clironicles  xxx. 

18  But  Hezekiah  prayed  for  them,  saying,  The  good  Lord 
pardon  every  one 

19  That  prepareth  his  heai't  to  seek  God,  the  Lord  God  of 
his  fathers,  though  he  be  not  cleansed  according  to  the  purifica- 
tion of  the  sanctuary. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — 2  Chronicles  xxx. 

20  And  the  Lord  hearkened  to  Hezekiah  and  healed  the  peo- 
ple. 


PRATER  OF  MANASSEH  WHEN  IN"  AFFLICTION. 

If  we  confine  our  attention  strictly  to  the  history 
of  Manasseh  as  recorded  in  the  book  of  Kings,  we 
should  infer  that  a  career  of  wickedness  had  been 
followed  out  by  him  to  the  end  of  his  long  reign  of 
fifty-five  years ;  but  in  the  second  book  of  Chron- 
icles we  find  a  heart-broken,  humble  prayer  from 
the  lips  of  a  man  whose  former  life  had  been  stain- 
ed with  every  vice,  for  it  is  said  of  him,  "  He  did 
evil  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  like  the  abominations 
of  the  heathen."  In  the  sixth  verse  of  this  chapter 
a  sin  of  his  is  mentioned  which  caused  the  Lord  to 


MANASSEH.  109 


be  angrj  with  him ;  and  we  speak  of  it  here  be- 
cause it  is  one  that  is  prevalent  in  our  own  days, 
and  is  leading  many  away  from  the  simple  faith 
of  the  Bible ;  to  all  such  we  would  call  attention  to 
the  repentance  and  prayer  of  Manasseh.  When 
Manasseh  and  his  people  became  violent  in  their 
opposition  to  God,  he  brought  upon  them  the  As- 
syrians, and  gave  them  success  in  their  invasions, 
permitting  them  to  follow  out  their  own  worldly 
ambition,  in  order  to  chastize  Manasseh,  who  was 
taken  prisoner,  loaded  with  fetters,  and  sent  to 
Babylon. 

"  High  walla  and  huge  the  body  may  confine, 
And  iron  gates  obstruct  the  prisoner's  gaze, 
The  massive  bolts  may  bafile  his  design, 
And  vigilant  keepers  closely  watch  his  ways ; 
Yet  scorns  the  immortal  mind  this  base  control. 
No  chains  can  bind  it,  and  no  cells  inclose ; 
Swifter  than  light  it  flies  from  pole  to  pole, 
Or,  in  a  prayer,  from  earth  to  heaven  it  goes !" 

By  the  especial  grace  of  God  solitude  and  affliction 
brought  reflection  to  Manasseh — 

"  Through  the  shadowy  past. 
Like  a  tomb-searcher  Memory  ran, 
Lifting  each  shroud  that  time  had  cast." 

Every  act  of  sin  seems  like  a  serpent's  sting,  and  is 
imbued  with  fresh  bitterness;  there  is  a  burden 
weighing  down  his  stricken  heart.  He  betakes  him- 
self to  prayer  in  his  extremities,  and  the  soul  that 

6 


110  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

lay  in  darkness  is  lifted  up  to  lieaven ;  and  at  last, 
we  trust,  he  found  an  entrance  there  And  this,  mj 
reader,  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  "to  be  born 
again."  There  are  those  who  love  to  hang  around 
this  "change  of  heart,"  a  dark  veil  of  mystery; 
heed  it  not,  but  read  in  this  faith  and  repentant 
prayer  the  secret  of  your  own  salvation. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded, — 2  Chronicles  xxxiii. 

12  And  when  he  was  in  affliction,  he  besought  the  Lord  his 
God,  and  humbled  himself  greatly  before  the  God  ot  his  fathers, 

13  And  prayed  unto  him  :  and  he  was  entreated  of  him,  and 
heard  his  supplication,  and  brought  him  again  to  Jerusalem, 
into  his  kingdom.  Then  Manasseh  knew  that  the  Lord  he  was 
God. 


PRAYER  OF  NEHEMIAH  FOR  THE  CAPTIVE  REMNANT 
OF  JUDAH. 

Nehemiah  was  a  Jew  of  great  piety,  and  occupied 
the  station  of  cupbearer  to  Artaxerxes  the  king  of 
Persia.  The  whole  of  this  book  is  a  record  of  his 
actions,  of  his  zeal  and  disinterestedness  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  true  religion.  His  station  in  the 
Persian  court  had  prevented  him  from  going  to  Je- 
rusalem, but  he  expressed  a  godly  concern  about 
the  condition  of  his  brethren  in  Judea,  and  the 
temple  of  God.    Jerusalem   lay  without  walls  or 


NEHEMIAH.  Ill 


gates  of  defence,  and  had  done  so  since  its  devasta- 
tion by  the  Chaldeans.  Nehemiah,  on  hearing  of 
the  sad  state  of  his  brethren  was  troubled,  and  the 
impulse  of  his  heart  was  to  go  over  and  help  them, 
if  he  could  only  secure  the  patronage  of  the  king. 
In  this  perplexity  he  remembers  a  God  who  reigns 
king  over  all,  blessed  forevermore,  in  whose  hand 
are  the  hearts  of  even  the  highest  of  earthly  rulers, 
and  he  calls  upon  him  in  prayer.  No  circumstances 
should  ever  render  the  Christian  careless  of  the  in- 
terests of  the  church  of  God;  like  Nehemiah  he 
should  be  concerned  for  her  welfare,  and  like  him 
pray  that  God  would  build  her  walls  and  strengthen 
her  borders.  He  should  improve  his  talents  and 
take  advantage  of  every  circumstance  to  add  to  her 
numbers,  and  even  when  far  separated  from  her,  his 
efforts  for  her  prosperity,  though  in  his  own  sight 
feeble,  God  may  bless,  and  make  eminently  power- 
ful in  spreading  the  cause  of  truth  in  the  world. 

"  Till,  fiUed  with  light  and  joy  and  love, 
Thy  courts  below,  like  those  above, 
Triumphant  hallelujahs  raise. 
And  heaven  and  earth  resound  thy  praise." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Nehemiah  i. 

4  And  it  came  to  pass  when  I  heard  these  words,  that  I  sat 
down  and  wept,  and  mourned  certain  days,  and  fasted,  and 
prayed  before  the  God  of  heaven, 

5  And  said,  I  beseech  thee,  O  Lord  God  of  heaven,  the  great 


112  THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

and  terrible  God,  that  keepeth  covenant  and  mercy  for  them 
that  love  him  and  observe  his  commandments : 

6  Let  thine  ear  now  be  attentive,  and  thine  eyes  open,  that 
thou  mayest  hear  the  prayer  of  thy  servant,  vi^hich  I  pray  before 
thee  now,  day  and  night,  for  the  children  of  Israel  thy  servants, 
and  confess  the  sins  of  the  children  of  Israel,  which  we  have 
sinned  against  thee :  both  I  and  ray  father's  house  have  sinned. 

7  We  have  dealt  very  corruptly  against  thee,  and  have  not 
kept  the  commandments,  nor  the  statutes,  nor  the  judgments, 
which  thou  commandedst  thy  servant  Moses. 

8  Remember,  I  beseech  thee,  the  word  that  thou  command- 
edst thy  servant  Moses,  saying.  If  ye  transgress,  I  will  scatter 
you  abroad  among  the  nations  : 

9  But  if  ye  turn  unto  me  and  keep  my  commandments,  and 
do  them;  though  there  were  of  you  cast  out  unto  the  uttermost 
part  of  the  heaven,  yet  will  I  gather  them  from  thence,  and  will 
bring  them  unto  the  place  that  I  have  chosen  to  set  my  name 
there. 

10  Now  these  are  thy  servants  and  thy  people,  whom  thou 
hast  redeemed  by  thy  great  power,  and  by  thy  strong  hand. 

11  O  Lord,  I  beseech  thee,  let  now  thine  ear  be  attentive  to 
the  prayer  of  thy  servant,  and  to  the  prayer  of  thy  servants,  who 
desire  to  fear  thy  name :  and  prosper,  I  pray  thee,  thy  servant 
this  day,  and  grant  him  mercy  in  the  sight  of  this  man.  For  I 
was  the  king's  cupbearer. 

The  Lord's  Ansxver. — Neliemiali  ii. 

1  And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  month  Nisan,  [or  April,]  in  the 
twentieth  year  of  Artaxerxes  the  king,  that  wine  was  before 
him :  and  I  took  up  the  wine,  and  gave  it  unto  the  king.  Now 
I  had  not  been  beforetime  sad  in  his  presence. 

2  Wherefore  the  king  said  unto  me.  Why  is  thy  countenance 
sad,  seeing  thou  art  not  sick  ?  this  is  nothing  else  but  sorrow 
of  heart.    Then  I  was  very  sore  afraid, 


NEHEMIAH.  113 


3  And  said  unto  the  king,  Let  the  king  live  for  ever:  vi'hy 
should  not  my  countenance  be  sad,  when  the  city,  the  place  of 
my  fathers'  sepulchers,  lieth  Vi^aste,  and  the  gates  thereof  are 
consumed  with  fire  ? 

4  Then  the  king  said  unto  me,  For  what  dost  thou  make  re- 
quest?    So  I  prayed  to  the  God  of  lieaven. 

6  And  I  said  unto  the  king,  If  it  please  the  king,  and  if  thy 
servant  have  found  favor  in  thy  sight,  that  thou  wouldest  send 
me  unto  Judah,  unto  the  city  of  my  fathers'  sepulchers,  that  I 
may  build  it. 

6  And  the  king  said  unto  me,  (the  queen  also  sitting  by  him,) 
For  how  long  shall  thy  journey  be "?  and  when  wilt  thou  return  ? 
So  it  pleased  the  king  to  send  me ;  and  I  set  him  a  time. 

7  Moreover  I  said  unto  the  king.  If  it  please  the  king,  let 
letters  be  given  me  to  the  governors  beyond  the  river,  that  they 
may  convey  me  over  till  I  come  unto  Judah ; 

8  And  a  letter  unto  Asaph,  the  keeper  of  the  king's  forest' 
that  he  may  give  me  timber  to  make  beams  for  the  gates  of  the 
palace  which  appertained  to  the  house,  and  for  the  wall  of  the 
city  and  the  house  that  1  shall  enter  into.  And  the  king  granted 
me  according  to  the  good  hand  of  my  God  upon  me. 


PRAYERS  OF  NEHEMIAH  WHILE  BUILDING  THE 
WALLS   OF  JERUSALEM. 

Sanballat,  the  governor  of  the  Samaritans,  and 
other  enemies  of  the  Jews,  endeavored  by  every 
means  to  overthrow  the  attempts  of  ISTehemi^h  and 
his  followers  to  rebuild  the  temple ;  they  laughed 
him  to  scorn,  and  ridiculing  the  idea  of  his  being 


114  THE  PRAYERS  OF   THE   BIBLE. 

able  to  procure  the  necessary  materials,  with,  the 
most  bitter  sarcasm  endeavored  to  dissuade  him 
from  the  work.  The  Jews  were  at  this  time  the 
church  of  God,  and  were  employed  in  his  worship, 
and  for  this  they  were  hated  by  their  enemies. 
They  had  need  of  much  prayer  in  the  midst  of  such 
violent  opposition,  and  we  find  the  petitions  of 
Nehemiah  recorded  in  the  fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth 
chapters  of  this  book.  To  some  readers  the  second 
recorded  prayer  may  appear  tinctured  with  conceit 
and  a  boasting  spirit,  but  we  would  refer  such  to 
the  language  of  St.  Paul  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Corin- 
thians; of  whom  he  would  take  nothing,  that  he 
might  stop  the  mouths  of  false  apostles  and  covet- 
ous people. 

The  Prayers  as  recorded. — Nehemiah  iv. 

4  Hear,  O  our  God;  for  we  are  despised:  and  turn  their  re- 
proach upon  their  own  head,  and  give  them  for  a  prey  in  the 
land  of  captivity : 

6  And  cover  not  their  iniquity,  and  let  not  their  sin  be  blot- 
ted out  from  before  thee :  for  they  have  provoked  thee  to  anger 
before  the  builders. 

Nehemiah  v. 

19  Think  upon  me,  my  God,  for  good,  according  to  all  that 
I  have  done  for  this  people. 

Neliemiali  vi. 
9  O  God,  strengthen  my  hands. 


JOB.  1 15 


The  Lord's  Answer. — Nehemiah  vi. 

15  So  the  wall  was  finished  in  the  twenty  and  fifth  day  of 
the  month  Elul,  [August,]  in  fifty  and  two  days. 

16  And  it  came  to  pass  that  when  all  our  enemies  heard 
thereof,  and  all  the  heathen  that  were  about  us  saw  these  things, 
they  were  much  cast  down  in  their  own  eyes :  for  they  perceiv- 
ed that  this  work  was  wrounfht  of  our  God. 


Nel^miali  vi. 
15  Remember  me,  O  my  God,  for  good. 


PRAYER  OF  JOB. 


The  book  of  Job  lias  been  regarded  by  some 
writers  as  a  mere  fiction  or  parable,  but  tliis  notion 
has  been  refuted  by  eminent  divines ;  and  the  opin- 
ion now  entertained  by  most  Bible  readers,  is  that 
BO  ably  presented  by  Dr.  Kitto,  who  says:  "We 
have  the  testimony  of  the  sacred  writers  themselves 
to  the  reality  of  Job's  person  and  history.  We 
are  told  in  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  Ezekiel  that 
though  Noah,  Daniel,  and  Job  were  in  such  a  place 
they  should  deliver  but  their  own  souls  by  their 
righteousness ;  from  the  context,  and  the  manner  in 
which  this  is  introduced  the  characters  here  named 
seem  to  be  taken  as  real ;  for  first  Job  is  joined 
with  Noah  and  Daniel,  who  were  certainly  real 
characters ;   and  these  are  spoken  of  as  real   and 


116  THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 


living  men.  In  the  New  Testament  are  allusions 
to  the  patience  of  Job  and  his  character  as  one  be- 
longing to  a  real  person.  St.  Paul  and  James  both 
speak  of  him.  We  .cannot  suppose  the  Holy  Spirit 
would  make  a  reference  to  a  feigned  history  for  an 
example  of  faith  and  patience  and  its  ultimate  re- 
ward, if  the  person,  the  faith,  and  its  recompense, 
were  alike  unreal."  The  prayers  of  Job  must  not 
then  be  regarded  as  fanciful  pieces  of  composition, 
but  as  the  "thanksgivings,  comj)laints,  and  commu- 
nings of  one,  human  like  ourselves, "  whose  submis- 
sion, faith,  and  patience,  through  the  grace  of  God, 
acquired  by  prayer,  made  him  triumphant  over 
bodily  weakness,  over  calamit}^,  and  the  trials  of  a 
"  vale  of  tears."  He  was  an  eminent  saint  of  God, 
although  we  often  see -in  reading  his  history  an  evi- 
dent struggling  of  the  human  and  mortal  with  the 
spiritual.  The  afilictions  of  Job  were  heavier  and 
the  circumstances  more  aggravated  than  usually  fall 
to  the  lot  of  mankind ;  his  cup  was  indeed  full  of 
deep  and  bitter  sorrow,  but  it  was  the  Lord  who 
had  mingled  it ;  in  the  manner  in  which  he  drank  it 
we  see  the  strength  of  his  faith  and  submission. 
One  messenger  after  another  had  borne  to  Job  the 
evil  tidings  of  his  swift  and  sudden  trials,  and  when 
the  last  great  sorrow,  the  loss  of  all  his  numerous 
family,  is  communicated  to  him,  he  is  bowed  to  the 
earth  with  "the  weight  of  the  heavy  heart  in  his 
bosom,"  and  breaks  forth  in  words  that  will  live  as 


JOB.  117 

long  as  time  and  sorrow  last,  and  while  a  God  of 
love  and  justice  reigns. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Job  i. 

20  Then  Job  arose,  and  rent  his  mantle,  and  shaved  his  head, 
and  fell  upon  the  ground,  and  worshiped, 

21  And  said,  Naked  came  I  out  of  my  mother's  womb,  and 
naked  shall  I  return  thither :  the  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath 
taken  away;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord.' 


PRAYER  OF  JOB  AFTER  HE   HAD  BEEN  VISITED   BY 
HIS  FRIENDS. 

Job,  as  usual  in  cases  of  afiliction,  had  many  so 
called  sympathizers ;  three  are  mentioned  particu- 
larly as  conversing  with  him  and  treating  his  suffer- 
ings and  his  character  with  contempt.  In  the  da- 
guerreotypes of  Job's  friends  are  features  familiar  to 
all  the  children  of  suffering  and  affliction ;  and  there 
are  few  who  are  not  painfully  acquainted  with  Zo- 
phar,  Eliphaz,  and  Bildad.  In  obedience  to  the 
command  "to  weep  with  those  that  weep,"  there  are 
many,  very  many,  of  the  good  and  kind  who  would 
and  do  change  the  sentence  into  talking  with  those 
that  weep  ;  not  that  words  of  sympathy  and  kindly 
advice  should  remain  unuttered,  but  that  they 
should  be  "words  fitly  spoken,  like  apples  of  gold 
in  pictures  of  silver,"  that  they  should  be  forcible 


118  THE  PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

and  right.  We  can  imagine  how,  under  his  deep 
and  heavy  affliction,  and  after  the  conversation  of 
his  friends,  Job  was  led  to  inquire  so  particularly 
into  the  cause  of  his  trials,  and  we  can  almost  ex- 
cuse the  passionate  strain  in  which  he  speaks;  he 
regards  himself  as  a  mark  for  the  arrows  of  the 
Almighty ;  to  use  his  own  words :  "  Thou  writest 
bitter  things  against  me."  He  desires  to  clear  away 
the  clouds  and  darkness  hanging  round  these  trials, 
and  know  of  God  a  reason  for  them.  He  says,  in 
bitterness  but  in  dependence,  "My  friends  scorn  me, 
but  my  eye  poureth  out  tears  unto  God."  He  asks 
for  the  love  of  God  in  his  heart,  for  fear  seems  to 
have  taken  possession  of  it.  It  is  right  for  us  to 
wait  patiently  God's  time,  and  though  in  deep  sor- 
row we  see  nothing  but  the  frown  of  Providence, 
the  knowledge  that  there  is  behind  it  a  smile,  will 
be  sweet  to  our  souls ;  and  though  heavy  and  se- 
vere be  our  trials,  we  may,  by  patience,  be  led  with 
Job  to  exclaim:  "Though  he  slay  me,  yet  will  I 
trust  in  him." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Job  xiii. 

20  Only  do  not  two  things  unto  me :  then  will  I  not  hide 
myself  from  thee. 

21  Withdraw  thine  hand  far  from  me:  and  let  not  thy  dread 
make  me  afraid. 

22  Then  call  thou,  and  I  will  answer :  or  let  me  speak,  and 
answer  thou  me. 

23  How  many  are  mine  iniquities  and  sins?    make  me  to 
know  my  transgression  and  my  sin. 


JOB.  119 

24  Wherefore  hidest  thou  thy  face,  and  holdest  me  for  thine 
enemy  ? 

25  Wilt  thou  break  a  leaf  driven  to  and  frol  and  wilt  thou 
pursue  the  dry  stubble  ? 

26  For  thou  writest  bitter  things  against  me,  and  makest  me 
to  possess  the  iniquities  of  ray  youth. 

27  Thou  puttest  my  feet  also  in  tlie  stocks,  and  lookest  nar- 
rowly into  all  my  paths ;  thou  settest  a  print  upon  the  heels  of 
my  feet. 


PRAYER  OF  JOB  THAT  GOD  WOULD   HIDE  HIM  FROM 
HIS  ANGER. 

Job  feels  that  death  must  soon  release  him  from 
his  suffering  ;  he  is  willing  to  wait  till  the  last  great 
change  shall  come,  but  he  prays  that  God  will  hide 
him  till  his  displeasure  pass  away.  In  some  verses 
of  the  prayer  there  is  much  of  faith  and  hope,  in 
others  a  feeling  of  deep  despondency.  "Job  seems 
to  have  an  affecting  view  of  the  miseries  of  human 
life,  and  pleads  its  brevity  as  a  reason  why  man 
should  be  exempted  from  constant  or  extraordinary 
sufferings.  Job  believed  dimly  in  a  future  exist- 
ence, and  in  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  but  there 
is  no  evidence  to  show  that  either  he  or  his  friends 
had  any  distinct  ideas  of  a  place  of  future  retri- 
bution. The  difi&culties  with  which  Job  labored, 
having,  as  he  did,  contracted  views  of  the  Divine 
plans,  and  under  which  the  good  labored  before  our 


120  THE   PRAYERS  OF   THE   BIBLE. 

blessed  Lord  brouglit  in  a  '  better  hope '  — these 
difficulties  should  teach  us  properly  to  appreciate 
the  better  conception  of  the  spiritual  world  which 
the  gospel  has  enabled  us  to  realize."- 

Tlie  Prayer  as  recorded. — Job  xiv. 

13  O  that  thou  wouldest  hide  me  in  the  grave,  that  thou 
wouldest  keep  me  secret  until  thy  wrath  be  past,  that  thou 
wouldest  appoint  me  a  set  time,  and  remember  me  ! 

14  If  a  man  die,  shall  he  live  again  1  all  the  days  of  my  ap- 
pointed time  will  I  wait,  till  my  change  come. 

15  Thou  shalt  call,  and  I  will  answer  thee :  thou  wilt  have  a 
desire  to  the  work  of  tliine  hands. 

16  For  now  thou  numberest  my  steps:  dost  thou  not  watch 
over  my  sin  ? 

17  My  transgression  is  sealed  up  in  a  bag,  and  thou  sewest 
up  mine  iniquity. 

18  And  surely  the  mountain  falling  cometh  to  naught,  and 
the  rock  is  removed  out  of  his  place. 

19  The  waters  wear  the  stones:  thou  washest  away  the 
things  which  grow  out  of  the  dust  of  the  earth ;  and  thou  de- 
stroy eat  the  hope  of  man. 

20  Thou  prevailest  for  ever  against  him,  and  he  passeth : 
thou  changest  his  countenance,  and  sendest  him  away. 

21  His  sons  come  to  honor,  and  he  knoweth  it  not;  and 
they  are  brought  low,  but  he  perceiveth  it  not  of  them. 

22  But  his  flesh  upon  him  shall  have  pain,  and  his  soul  with- 
in him  shall  mourn. 

*  Kitto. 


JOB.  121 


PRAYER  OF  JOB  THAT  HE  MIGHT  FEEL  GOD'S  PRES- 
ENCE. 

In  perusing  the  history  of  Job  no  doubt  many 
have   felt  that  his  sorrows  were   greater   than  he 
could  possibly  have  deserved,  and  with  Job  himself 
they  have  inquired,  "How  many  were  his  iniquities 
and  sins  that  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  endure 
such  a  '  burden  of  trial  ?'     We  must  not  lose  sight 
of  the  fact  that  Job  was  a  righteous  man ;  he  knew 
and  felt  that  his  afflictions  were  from  the  hand  of 
God.  How  differently  they  v\  ere  received  from  their 
Author  by  Job,  than  they  are  by  men  who  have  no 
love  for  that  great  Being  in  their  hearts !     All  over 
the  world  we  see  the  mourning  of  unbelievers  unat- 
tended by  religious  benefit.     God  oftener  tries  and 
purifies  the  heart  of  the  good  man,  by  affliction, 
than  he  does  that  of  the  unbeliever.     The  good  and 
the  bad  both  mourn  in  tears,  yet  there  is  a  sorrow 
that  worketh  repentance,  and  leads  to  prayer ;  and 
there  is  a  sorrow  of  the  world  that  worketh  death. 
Overcome,  but  not  cast  down  utterly,  Job  is  willing 
to  leave  himself  in  the  hands  of  God.     He  feels  that 
his  faith  is  being  tried,  and  in  his  prayer  seems  to 
look  forward  to  that  glorious  time  when  he  shall 
come  forth  from  all  his  trials  purified  and  refined. 
Those  of  our  friends  who  have  felt  what  it  is  to 
have  a  conflict  between  faith  and  unbelief,  hope  and 


122  THE  PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

despondency,  a  desire  to  be  submissive,  and  the 
self-will  opposing,  enduring  heavy  trial  and  heavier 
temptations  to  sin,  may  easily  account  for  the  ap- 
parent changes  in  the  character  of  Job ;  but  his 
vehement  desires  and  passionate  protestations  were 
quieted  when  he  reflected  that  it  was  God's  will  he 
should  be  afflicted  so  bitterly,  that  it  was  the  way 
appointed  for  him;  and  with  these  convictions  he 
prays,  assured  that  the  judgment  of  God  will  be 
according  to  truth.  It  is  thought,  by  the  "judge  " 
in  this  prayer,  Eliphaz  the  Temanite  is  meant,  for 
he  had  fearfully  misjudged  Job  and  brought  in 
many  accusations  against  him.  In  an  hour  of  gloom, 
when  he  could  get  no  fixed  views  of  God's  presence 
as  his  deliverer.  Job  prays. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Job  xxiii. 

3  Oh  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  him !  that  I  might  come 
even  to  his  seat ! 

4  I  would  order  my  cause  before  him,  and  fill  my  mouth 
with  arguments. 

5  I  would  know  the  words  which  he  would  answer  me,  and 
understand  what  he  would  say  unto  me. 

6  Will  he  plead  against  me  with  his  great  power?     No;  but 
he  would  put  strength  in  me. 

7  There  the  righteous  might  dispute  with  him ;  so  should  I 
be  delivered  for  ever  from  my  judge. 

8  Behold,  I  go  forward,  but  he  is  not  there ;  and  backward, 
but  I  cannot  perceive  hira  : 

9  On  the  left  hand,  where  he  doth  work,  but  I  cannot  behold 
him :  he  hideth  himself  on  the  right  hand,  that  I  cannot  see  bira : 


JOB.  123 

10  But  he  knoweth  the  way  that  I  take :  when  he  hath  tried 
me,  I  shall  come  forth  as  gold. 

11  My  foot  has  held  his  steps,  his  way  have  I  kept,  and  not 
declined. 

12  Neither  have  I  gone  back  from  the  commandment  of  his 
lips ;  I  have  esteemed  the  words  of  his  mouth  more  than  my 
necessary  food. 

13  But  he  is  in  one  mind,  and  who  can  turn  him?  and  what 
his  soul  desireth,  even  that  he  doeth. 

14  For  he  performeth  the  thing  that  is  appointed  for  me : 
and  many  such  things  are  with  him. 

15  Therefore  am  I  troubled  at  his  presence :  when  I  consider, 
I  am  afraid  of  him. 

16  For  God  maketh  my  heart  soft,  and  the  Almighty  troub- 
leth  me : 

17  Because  I  was  not  cut  off  before  the  darkness,  neither 
hath  he  covered  the  darkness  from  my  face. 


JOB'S  PRATER  FOR  AN  ANSWER  TO  HIS  PETITIONS. 

That  the  prayers  of  Christians  are  not  immediate- 
ly answered  ought  never  to  discourage  or  disheart- 
en, we  must  "  pray  on,  pray  ever,"  remembering  the 
promise,  that  God  will  hear  and  answer  in  his  own 
good  time.  The  ways  of  the  Almighty  are  not  as 
our  ways,  neither  are  his  thoughts  like  ours ;  his 
plans  and  purposes  with  regard  to  us  are  concealed, 
and  the  Christian  should  find  it  "  sweet  to  lie  passive 
m  his  hands,  and  know  no  will  but  God's."    How- 


124  THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

ever  dark  the  dispensations  of  Providence,  however 
cold  and  bleak  our  jDath.  in  life  maj  have  become, 
when  the  loved  are  buried  and  the  idol  taken,  we 
should  remember  there  is  a  source  of  comfort ;  it  is 
earnest,  heartfelt  prayer ;  it  is  this  which  will  lead 
us  under  the  heaviest  trial  to  say  with  the  poet — 

"  Nearer,  my  God,  nearer  to  thee, 
E'en  though  it  be  a  cross 
That  bringeth  me. 
Nearer  my  God,  nearer  to  thee  ! 
Then  let  my  way  appear 

Steps  unto  heaven. 
All  that  thou  sendest  me, 

In  mercy  given. 
Nearer,  my  God,  to  thee, 
Nearer  to  thee !" 

Job's  distress  was  great  that  he  could  receive  no 
answer  to  his  prayers,  and  he  therefore  infers  rashly 
that  God  is  cruelly  afflicting  him.  He  forgot  in  his 
present  terrible  condition — for  his  body  is  wasted 
by  disease,  and  sorrow  deep  and  heavy  is  in  his 
heart — that  "  God  prepares  the  ear  to  hear ;"  he 
seems  impatient  for  the  Lord's  answer.  This  spirit 
is  reproved  in  that  answer. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Job  xxx. 

20  T  cry  unto  thee,  and  thou  dost  not  hear  me :  I  stand  up, 
and  thou  regardest  me  not. 

21  Thou  art  become  cruel  to  me:  with  thy  strong  hand  thou 
opposest  thyself  against  me.   ■   '  ^ 


JOB.  126 

22  Thou  liftest  me  up  to  the  wind ;  thou  causest  me  to  ride 
upon  it,  and  dissolvest  my  substance. 

23  For  I  know  that  thou  wilt  bring  me  to  death,  and  to  the 
house  appointed  for  all  living'. 

24  Howbeit  he  will  not  stretch  out  his  hand  to  the  grave, 
though  they  cry  in  his  destruction. 

25  Did  not  I  weep  for  him  that  was  in  trouble  ?  was  not  my 
soul  grieved  for  the  poor? 

26  When  I  looked  for  good,  then  evil  came  unto  me :  and 
when  I  waited  for  light,  there  came  darkness. 

27  My  bowels  boiled,  and  rested  not :  the  days  of  afHiction 
prevented  me. 

28  I  went  mourning  without  the  sun :  I  stood  up,  and  I  cried 
in  the  congregation. 

29  1  am  a  brother  to  dragons,  and  a  companion  to  owls. 

30  My  skin  is  black  upon  me,  and  my  bones  are  burned  with 
heat. 

31  My  harp  also  is  turned  to  mourning,  and  my  organ  into 
the  voice  of  them  that  weep. 

The  Lord^s  Answer  to  JoVs  Prayers. — Job  xxxviii, 

1  Then  the  Lord  answered  Job  out  of  the  whirlwind  and  said, 

2  Who  is  this  that  darkeneth    counsel  by  words   without 
knowledge? 

3  Gird  up  now  thy  loins  like  a  man;  for  I  will  demand  of 
thee,  and  answer  thou  me, 

4  Where  wast  thou  when  I  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth  ? 
declare,  if  thou  hast  understanding. 

5  Who  hath  laid  the  measures  thereof,  if  thou  knowest  ?  or 
who  hath  stretched  the  line  upon  it? 

6  Whereupon  are  the  foundations  thereof  fastened  ?  or  who 
laid  the  corner  stone  thereof; 

7  When  the  morning  stars  sang  together,  and  all  the  sons  of 
God  shouted  for  joy  ? 


126  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

8  Or  who  shut  up  the  sea  with  doors,  when  it  brake  forth  as 
if  it  had  issued  out  of  the  womb? 

9  When  I  made  the  cloud  the  garment  thereof,  and  thick 
darkness  a  swaddling  band  for  it, 

10  And  brake  up  for  it  my  decreed  place,  and  set  bars  and 
doors, 

11  And  said,  Hitherto  shalt  thou  come,  but  no  further:  and 
here  shall  thy  proud  waves  be  stayed  ? 

12  Hast  thou  commanded  the  morning  since  thy  days;  and 
caused  the  dayspring  to  know  his  place ; 

13  That  it  might  take  hold  of  the  ends  of  the  earth,  that  the 
wicked  might  be  shaken  out  of  it  ? 

14  It  is  turned  as  clay  to  the  seal;  and  they  stand  as  a  gar- 
ment. 

15  And  from  the  wicked  their  light  is  withholden,  and  the 
high  arm  shall  be  broken. 

16  Hast  thou  entered  into  the  springs  of  the  sea?  or  hast 
thou  walked  in  the  search  of  the  depth  ? 

17  Have  the  gates  of  death  been  opened  unto  thee?  or  hast 
thou  seen  the  doors  of  the  shadow  of  death  ? 

18  Hast  thou  perceived  the  breadth  of  the  earth?  declare  if 
thou  knowest  it  all. 

19  Where  is  tiie  way  where  light  dwelleth  ?  and  as  for  dark- 
ness, where  is  the  place  thereof, 

20  That  thou  shouldest  take  it  to  the  bound  thereof,  and  that 
thou  shouldest  know  the  paths  to  the  house  thereof? 

21  Knowest  thou  it,  because  thou  wast  then  born?  or  be- 
cause the  number  of  thy  days  is  great  ? 

22  Hast  thou  entered  into  the  treasures  of  the  snow?  or 
hast  thou  seen  the  treasures  of  the  hail, 

23  Which  I  have  reserved  against  the  time  of  trouble,  against 
the  day  of  battle  and  war  ? 

The  Lord's  Answer  is  contiyiued  through  this  chapter,  and  the 
Thirty-Ninth,  Fortieth,  and  Forty-first. 


JOB.  127 


THE  PRAYER  OF  JOB  AFTER  HE  HAD  RECEIVED  THE 
ANSWER. 

Before  the  Lord  vouchsafed  an  answer  to  Job,  we 
perceive  something  of  conceit  and  self-righteousness 
in  his  words,  but  all  now  is  humble  acquiescence. 
"Poor  in  spirit,  meek  in  heart,"  Job  acknowledges 
he  has  been  rash  in  his  language,  and  passionate 
and  vehement  in  his  desires.  However  wise  in  our 
own  conceit,  however  great  the  stores  of  our  know- 
ledge attained  in  the  schools  of  human  learning, 
man  is  never  allowed  to  call  himself  truly  wise  till 
he  is  lowly  in  heart,  poor  in  spirit,  and  dead  to 
the  world; 

*'  Simple,  teachable,  and  mild, 
Changed  into  a  little  child : 
Pleased  with  all  the  Lord  provides 
Weaned  from  all  the  world  besides ;" — 

till,  in  the  language  of  Job  in  the  following  prayer, 
we  can  "abhor  ourselves  and  repent  in  dust  and 
ashes;"  then  afflictions,  pains,  temptations,  waves, 
and  storms  may  come,  yet  we  will  not  be  discour- 
aged nor  cast  down,  for  our  deliverance  is  near. 
His  promises,  and  oath  even,  are  engaged  for  our 
preservation,  and 

"  Who  shall  pretend  to  teach  him  skill 
Or  guide  the  counsels  of  his  will  ? 
His  wisdom,  like  a  sea  divine, 
Flows  deep  and  high  beyond  our  line." 


128  THE   PRATERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — ^Job  xlii. 

1  Then  Job  answered  the  Lord  and  said, 

2  I  know  that  thou  canst  do  every  thing,  and  that  no  thought 
can  be  withholden  from  thee. 

3  Wiio  is  he  tliat  hideth  counsel  without  knowledge  ?  there- 
fore have  I  uttered  that  I  understood  not ;  things  too  wonderful 
for  me,  which  I  knew  not. 

4  Hear,  I  beseech  thee,  and  I  will  speak :  I  will  demand  of 
thee,  and  declare  thou  unto  me. 

5  I  have  heard  of  thee  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear :  but  now 
mine  eye  seeth  thee. 

6  Wherefore  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes. 

7  And  it  was  so,  that  after  the  Lord  had  spoken  these  words 
unto  Job,  the  Lord  said  to  Eliphaz  the  Temanite,  My  wrath  is 
kindled  against  thee,  and  against  thy  two  friends :  for  ye  have 
not  spoken  of  me  the  thing  that  is  right,  as  my  servant  Job 
hath. 

8  Therefore  take  unto  you  now  seven  bullocks  and  seven 
rams,  and  go  to  my  servant  Job,  and  offer  up  for  yourselves  a 
burnt  oifering ;  and  my  servant  Job  shall  pray  for  you :  for  him 
will  I  accept:  lest  I  deal  with  you  after  your  folly,  in  that  ye 
have  not  spoken  of  me  the  thing  which  is  right,  like  my  servant 
Job. 

9  So  Eliphaz  the  Temanite  and  Bildad  the  Shuhite  and  Zo- 
phar  the  Naamathite  went,  and  did  according  as  the  Lord  com- 
manded them  :  the  Lord  also  accepted  Job. 

10  And  the  Lord  turned  the  captivity  of  Job,  when  he  prayed 
for  his  friends :  also  the  Lord  gave  Job  twice  as  much  as  he 
had  before. 

11  Then  came  there  unto  him  all  his  brethren,  and  all  his 
sisters,  and  all  they  that  had  been  of  his  acquaintance  before, 
did  eat  bread  with  him  in  his  house :  and  they  bemoaned  him,  and 
and  comforted  him  over  all  the  evil  that  the  Lord  had  brought 


DAVID.  129 

upon  him:  every  man  also  gave  him  a  piece  of  money,  and 
every  one  an  earring'  of  gold. 

12  So  the  Lord  blessed  the  latter  end  of  Job  more  than  his 
beginning:  for  he  had  fourteen  thousand  sheep,  and  six  thou- 
sand camels,  and  a  thousand  yoke  of  oxen,  and  a  thousand  she 
asses. 

13  He  had  also  seven  sons  and  three  daughters. 

14  And  he  called  the  name  of  the  first  Jemima;  and  the 
name  of  the  second,  Kezia ;  and  the  name  of  the  third,  Keeren- 
happuch. 

15  And  in  all  the  land  were  no  women  found  so  fiiir  as  the 
daughters  of  Job ;  and  their  father  gave  them  inheritance  among 
their  brethren. 

16  After  this  lived  Job  a  hundred  and  forty  years,  and  saw 
his  sons,  and  his  sons'  sons,  even  four  generations. 

17  So  Job  died,  being  old  and  full  of  days. 


THE  PRATERS  CONTAIN"ED  IN  THE  PSALMS. 

As  tliese  prayers  liave  been  referred  to  in  a 
former  part  of  this  work,  and  as  it  is  not  within  the 
limit  of  the  present  volume,  to  comment  upon  or 
write  each  one  of  them  out  in  order,  we  shall  only 
allude  to  some  of  the  more  important  among  them, 
making,  as  it  were,  an  index  for  the  reader,  which 
we  trust  will  lead  to  an  examination  of  the  prayers 
as  they  are  recorded  in  God's  word.  We.  find  in 
the  prayers  contained  in  the  book  of  Psalms  the 
language  of  every  heart  awakened  to  a  sense  of  its 


130  THE   PRAYEKS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

obligations  to  God.  Here  is  mourning  for  sin, 
thirsting  after  God  and  rejoicing  in  liim;  here  is 
the  language  of  the  soul  borne  down  by  sorrow  and 
grief,  struggling  against  the  temptation  of  a  wicked 
■world,  and  the  "  song  of  triumph  "  and  hope  of  de- 
liverance ;  indeed  there  is  a  prayer  for  every  possi- 
ble frame  of  feeling  which  can  belong  to  any  peni- 
tent under  any  circumstances.  The  Psalms  have 
been  called  an  epitome  of  the  Bible  adapted  to  the 
purposes  of  devotion.  "  They  present  religion  to  us 
in  its  most  engaging  dress,  communicating  truths 
which  philosophy  could  never  investigate,  in  a  style 
which  poetry  could  never  equal,  while  history  is 
made  the  vehicle  of  prophecy,  and  creation  lends  all 
its  charms  to  paint  the  glories  of  redemption."* 
They  are  called  the  "Psalms  of  David,"  as  he  was 
undoubtedly  the  writer  of  the  greater  part  of  them, 
and  he  was  warranted  in  saying  of  them,  "The 
spirit  of  the  Lord  spake  by  me,  and  his  word  was  in 
my  tongue."  In  some  of  the  prayers  there  is  ap- 
parently a  spirit  of  private  resentment,  and  Scott,  in 
remarking  upon  this  says,  these  must  be  considered 
as  direct  prophecies  or  divinely  inspired  declara- 
tions of  the  certain  doom  awaiting  all  opposers  of 
Christ  and  his  cause  and  people.  We  mention  this 
here,  to  disabuse  the  mind  of  an  objection  often 
offered  against  some  of  these  petitions,  and  would 

*  Bishop  Home. 


DAVID.  131 

recommend  a  prayerful  spirit  with  their  careful  pe- 
rusal. The  answers  to  many  of  them  will  be  scat- 
tered throughout  the  Old  as  well  as  New  Testament. 

Prayer  of  David  tuhen  he  fled  from  Absalom. — Psalm  iii. 

1  Lord,  how  are  they  increased  that  trouble  me !  many  are 
they  that  rise  up  against  me. 

The  Answer. — Psalm  iii. 

4  I  cried  unto  the  Lord  with  my  voice,  and  he  heard  me  out 
of  his  holy  hill.     Selah. 

Prayer  of  David  in  Sickness. — Psalm  vi. 

1  O  Lord,  rebuke  me  not  in  thine  anger,  neither  chasten  me 
in  thy  hot  displeasure. 

2  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Lord  ;  for  I  am  weak :  O  Lord, 
heal  me ;  for  my  bones  are  vexed. 

The  Answer. — Psalm  xxix. 
11  The  Lord  will  give  strength  unto  his  people. 

Also  Psalm  vi. 

9  The  Lord  hath  heard  my  supplication ;  the  Lord  will  re- 
ceive my  prayer. 

A  Prayer  of  David  in  the  midst  of  the  Wicked. — Psalm  x. 

1  Why  standest  thou  afar  off,  O  Lord  ?   why  hidest  thou 
thyself  in  times  of  trouble  ] 

The  Answer. — Psalm  x. 

17  Lord,  thou  hast  heard  the  desire  of  the  humble :  thou 
wilt  prepare  their  heart,  thou  wilt  cause  thine  ear  to  hear. 


132  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

Prayer  of  David  that  God  will  deliver  him  from  his 
enemij. — Psalm  xiii. 

1  How  long  wilt  thou  forget  me,  O  Lord?  for  ever?  how 
long  wilt  thou  hide  thy  foce  from  me? 

The  Ansiver. — Isaiah  liv. 

7  For  a  small  moment  have  I  forsaken  thee ;  but  with  great 
mercies  will  I  gather  thee. 

8  In  a  little  wrath  I  hid  my  face  from  thee  for  a  moment; 
but  with  everlasting  kindness  will  I  have  mercy  on  thee,  saith 
the  Lord  thy  Redeemer. 

Prayer  of  David  for  the  Solvation  of  Israel. — Psalm  xiv. 

7  Oh  that  the  salvation  of  Israel  were  come  out  of  Zion ! 

The  Answer. — John  viii. 
36  If  the  Son  therefore  shall  make  you  free,  ye  shall  be  free 
indeed. 

Prayer  of  David  for  God^s  Protection. — Psalm  xvii. 

8  Keep  me  as  the  apple  of  the  eye,  hide  me  under  the  sliadow 
of  thy  wings. 

The  Answer. — Psalm  xci. 
4  He  shall  cover  thee  with  his  feathers,  and  under  his  wings 
shalt  tliou  trust :  his  truth  shall  be  thy  shield  and  buckler. 

Prayer  of  David  that  he  may  he  heard  always. — Psalm  xix. 

14  Let  the  words  of  my  mouth,  and  the  meditation  of  my 
heart,  be  acceptable  in  thy  siglit.  O  Lord,  my  strength,  and  my 
redeemer. 

The  Answer. — Psalm  xxxvii. 

4  Delight  thyself  also  in  the  Lord  ;  and  he  shall  giye  th«8 
the  desires  of  thine  heart. 


DAVID.  loo 


Prayer  of  David  for  Protection. — Psalm  xxv. 

1  Unto  tliee,  O  Lord,  do  1  lift  up  my  soul. 

2  O  my  God,  I  trust  in  thee :  let  me  not  be  ashamed,  let  not 
mine  enftmies  triumph  over  me. 

3  Yea,  let  none  that  wait  on  thee  be  ashamed  :  let  them  be 
asliamed  which  transgress  without  cause. 

4  Show  me  thy  ways,  O  Lord  ;  teach  me  thy  paths. 

5  Lead  me  in  thy  truth,  and  teach  me :  for  thou  art  the  God 
of  my  salvation ;  on  thee  do  I  wait  all  the  day. 

The  Answer. — Psalm  xxv. 

9  The  meek  will  he  guide  in  judgment,  and  the  meek  will  he 
teach  his  way. 

1  John  iv. 

4  Ye  are  of  God,  little  children,  and  have  overcome  them  : 
because  greater  is  he  that  is  in  you,  than  he  that  is  in  the  world. 


Prayer  of  David  that  God  toill  be  his  Judge. — Psalm  xxvi. 

I  Judge  me,  O  Lord  ;  for  1  have  walked  in  mine  integrity ;  I 
have  trusted  also  in  the  Lord  ;  therefore  I  shall  not  slide. 

The  Answer. — Psalm  xxxii.     {Also  Romans  xiv.  4.) 

8  I  will  instruct  thee  and  teach  thee  in  the  way  which  thou 
shalt  go  :  I  will  guide  thee  with  minie  eye. 

Prayer  of  David  to  he  taught  of  the  Lord. — Psalm  xxvii. 

II  Teach  me  thy  way  O  Lord,  and  lead  me  in  a  plain  path, 
because  of  mine  enemies. 

7 


134  THE  prJlYers  of  the  bible. 


The  Answer. — Psalm  xxv. 

8  Good  and  upright  is  the  Lord:  therefore  will  he  teach 
sinners  in  the  way. 

12  What  man  is  lie  that  feareth  the  Lord?  him  shall  he 
teach  in  the  way  that  he  shall  choose. 


Prayer  of  David  to  be  led  in  the  Way  of  the  Lord. — Ps.  xxxi. 

3  For  thou  art  my  rock  and  my  fortress ;  therefore  for  thy 
name's  sake  lead  me,  and  guide  me. 

The  Answer. — Jeremiali  xxxi. 

9  They  shall' come  with  weeping,  and  with  supplications  will 
I  lead  them :  I  will  cause  them  to  walk  by  the  rivers  of  waters 
in  a  straight  way,  wherein  they  shall  not  stumble :  for  I  am  a 
father  to  Israel. 


Prayer  of  David  in  great  Grief — Psalm  xxxi. 

9  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Lord,  for  I  am  in  trouble :  mine 
eye  is  consumed  with  grief,  yea,  my  soul  and  my  belly. 

10  For  my  life  is  spent  with  grief,  and  my  years  with  sigh- 
ing. 

The  Answer. — Psalm  xxxii. 

10  Many  sorrows  shall  be  to  the  wicked;  but  he  that  trust- 
eth  in  the  Lord,  mercy  shall  compass  him  about. 

Isaiali  xl. 

29  He  giveth  power  to  the  faint ;  and  to  them  that  have  no 
might  he  increaseth  strength. 


DAVID.  135 

Praijcr  of  David  that  God  xvouM  defend  Mm  in  his  Fight 
against  his  Enemies. — Psalm  xxxv. 

4  Let  them  be  confounded  and  put  to  shame  that  seek  aftgr 
my  soul :  let  them  be  turned  back  and  brought  to  confusion 
that  devise  my  hurt. 

5  Let  them  be  as  chaff  before  the  wind :  and  let  the  angel  of 
the  LoKD  chase  tliem. 

6  Let  their  way  be  dark  and  slippery  :  and  let  the  angel  of 
the  Lord  persecute  them. 

The  Ansiver. — Psalm  xxxiv. 

21  Evil  shall  slay  the  wicked;  and  they  that  hate  the  righte- 
ous shall  be  desolate. 

Psalm  xxxvi. 

12  There  are  the  workers  of  iniquity  fallen  :  they  are  cast 
down,  and  shall  not  be  able  to  rise. 

Prayer  of  David  for  Light  and  Truth. — Psalm  xliii. 
3  O  send  out  thy  light  and  thy  truth  :  let  them  lead  me;  let 
them  bring  me  unto  thy  holy  hill,  and  to  thy  tabernacles. 

The  Answer. — Proverbs  iv. 

18  The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light,  that  shineth 
more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. 

Prayer  in  which  David  confesses  original  depravity. — Ps.  li. 

1  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  God,  according  to  thy  loving 
kindness:  according  unto  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies 
blot  out  my  transgressions. 

2  Wash  me  throughly  from  mine  iniquity,  and  cleanse  me 
from  my  sin. 


136  THE   PKAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

3  For  I  acknowledge  my  transgressions:  and  my  sin  is  ever 
before  me. 

4  Against  thee,  thee  only,  have  I  sinned,  and  done  this  evil 
in  thy  sight:  that  thou  raightest  be  justified  when  thou  speak- 
est,  and  be  clear  when  thou  judgest. 

6  Behold,  I  was  shapen  in  iniquity ;  and  in  sin  did  my  mother 
conceive  me. 

6  Behold,  thou  desirest  truth  in  the  inward  parts :  and  in  the 
hidden  part  thou  shalt  make  me  to  know  wisdom. 

7  Purge  me  with  hyssop  and  I  shall  be  clean :  wash  me,  and 
I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow. 

8  Make  me  to  hear  joy  and  gladness;  that  the  bones  which 
thou  hast  broken  may  rejoice. 

9  Hide  thy  face  from  my  sins  and  blot  out  all  mine  iniquities. 

10  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God;  and  renew  a  right 
spirit  within  me. 

{This  Prayer  is  continued  through  the  Psalm.) 

The  Ansiver. — 1  John  i. 
7  The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  his  Son  cleanseth  from  all  sin. 

Jeremiali  iii. 
22  I  will  heal  your  backslidings. 

Jeremiali  xxxi. 

3  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love ;  therefore  with 
loving  kindness  have  I  drawn  thee. 

Prayer  of  David  in  Terror  from  his  Enemies. — Psalm  Iv. 

1  Give  ear  to  my  prayer,  O  God;  and  hide  not  thyself  from 
my  supplication. 

2  Attend  unto  me,  and  hear  me  :  I  mourn  in  my  complaint, 
and  make  a  noise ; 


DAVID.  137 

3  Because  of  the  voice  of  the  enemy,  because  of  the  oppres- 
sion of  the  wicked:  for  they  cast  iniquity  upon  me,  and  in 
wrath  they  hate  me. 

4  My  heart  is  sore  pained  within  me:  and  the  terrors  of 
death  are  fallen  upon  me. 

5  Fearfulness  and  trembling  are  come  upon  me,  and  horror 
hath  overwhelmed  me. 

The  Answer. — John  xvi.    . 

33  These  things  have  I  spoken  unto  you,  that  in  me  ye  might 
have  peace.  In  the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation :  but  be  of 
good  cheer;  I  have  overcome  the  world. 

Prayer  of  David  that  God  will  not  forsake  him  in  Old 
Age. — Psalm  Ixxi. 

18  Now  also,  when  I  am  old  and  gray-headed,  O  God,  for- 
sake me  not ;  until  I  have  showed  thy  strength  unto  this  gen- 
eration, and  thy  power  to  every  one  that  is  to  come. 

19  Thy  righteousness,  also,  O  God,  is  very  high,  who  hast 
done  great  things  :  O  God,  who  is  like  unto  thee  ! 

The  Answer. — Isaiah  xlvi. 

3  Hearken  unto  me,  O  house  of  Jacob,  and  all  the  remnant 
of  the  house  of  Israel,  which  are  borne  by  me  from  the  belly, 
which  are  carried  from  the  womb : 

4  And  even  to  your  old  age  I  am  he  ;  and  even  to  hoar  hairs 
will  I  carry  you:  I  have  made  and  I  will  bear;  even  I  will 
carry  and  will  deliver  you. 

Prayer  of  David  that  Affliction  may  be  sanctified. — Ps.  xc, 

15  Make  us  glad  according  to  the  days  wherein  thou  hast 
afflicted  us,  and  the  years  wherein  we  have  seen  evil. 


138  THE  PRAYEES  OF  THE   BIBLE. 


The  Answer. — Psalm  xciv. 

12  Blessed  is  the  man  whom  thou  chastenest,  O  Lord,  and 
teachest  liim  out  of  thy  law; 

13  That  thou  may  est  give  him  rest  from  the  days  of  adver- 
sity. 

David  in  tlie  next  prajer,  is  a  type  of  Clirist,  and 
complains  of  tlie  malice,  deceit,  and  slander,  of  liis 
enemies ;  lie  prays  for  relief,  and  praises  God. 

Psalm  cix. 

25  I  became  also  a  reproach  unto  them :  when  they  looked 
upon  me  they  shaked  their  heads. 

26  Help  me,  O  Lord  my  God :  O  save  me  according  to  thy 
mercy : 

27  That  they  may  know  that  this  is  thy  hand;  that  thou, 
Lord,  hast  done  it. 

28  Let  them  curse,  but  bless  thou:  when  they  arise,  let 
them  be  ashamed ;  but  let  thy  servant  rejoice. 

Prayer  for  spiritual  Life. — Psalm  cxix. 

17  Deal  bountifully  with  thy  servant,  that  I  may  live  and 
keep  thy  word. 

18  Open  thou  mine  eyes  that  I  may  behold  wondrous  things 
out  of  thy  law. 

19  I  am  a  stranger  in  the  earth  :  hide  not  thy  commandments 

from  me. 

The  Answer. — Jolin  xii. 

46  I  am  come  a  light  into  the  world,  that  whosoever  believ- 
eth  on  me  should  not  abide  in  darkness. 

John  viii. 
12  I  am  the  light  of  the  world:  he  that  followcth  me  shall 
not  walk  in  darkness. 


DAVID.  189 

Prayer  of  David  that  he  may  be  delivered  from  the  deceit- 
ful.— Psalm  cxx. 

2  Deliver  my  soul,  O  Lord,  from  lying  lips,  and  from  a  de- 
ceitful tongue. 

3  What  shall  be  given  unto  thee  ?  or  what  shall  be  done 
unto  thee,  thou  ftilse  tongue? 

4  Sharp  arrows  of  the  mighty,  with  coals  of  juniper. 

There  are  two  instances  in  tlie  sacred  record  of 
David  hiding  in  a  cave,  or  conceahng  himself  from 
his  enemies ;  on  one  he  is  driven  from  the  court  of 
Achish,  on  the  other  from  Saul,  who  was  seeking 
him.  It  is  supposed  by  commentators  that  this 
prayer  was  made  on  one  of  these  occasions : 

Prayer  of  David  from  the  Cave  of  Adullam. — Psalm  cxlii 

1  I  cried  unto  the  Lord  with  my  voice;  with  my  voice  unto 
the  Lord  did  I  make  my  supplication. 

2  I  poured  out  ray  complaint  before  him ;  I  showed  before 
him  my  trouble. 

3  When  my  spirit  was  overwhelmed  within  me,  then  thou 
knewest  my  path.  In  the  way  wherein  I  walked,  have  they 
privily  laid  a  snare  for  me. 

4  I  looked  on  my  right  hand,  and  beheld,  but  there  was  no 
man  that  would  know  me :  refuge  failed  me ;  no  man  cared  for 
my  soul. 

_    5  1  cried  unto  thee,  O  Lord  :  I  said.  Thou  art  my  refuge  and 
my  portion  in  the  land  of  the  living. 

6  Attend  unto  my  cry;  for  I  am  brought  very  low:  deliver 
me  from  my  persecutors;  for  they  are  stronger  than  L 

7  Bring  my  soul  out  of  prison,  that  I  may  praise  thy  name  : 
the  rigliteous  shall  compass  me  about;  for  thou  shalt  deal 
bountifully  with  me. 


140  THE   PRAYEES   OF  THE   BIBLE, 


PEAYER  OF  AGUE. 

Among  tlie  Avritings  of  one  who  was  full  of 
sublime  devotion  as  well  as  j^i'actical  piet}^,  the 
"  extemporize!  of  the  loftiest  litany  in  existence,"  as 
he  has  been  called — in  the  midst  of  his  pungent 
jDroverbs,  we  find  this  prayer  of  Agur.  It  is  placed 
in  this  brilliant  setting,  that  the  most  careless  may 
be  attracted  to  it,  and  that  the  Bible  student  may 
read  and  examine  the  prayer  of  an  humble  follower 
of  God.  Agur  was  a  teacher  of  Israel,  and  the 
names  of  his  two  pupils,  Ithiel,  (God  with  us,)  and 
Ileal,  (a  mighty  one,)  lead  us  to  suppose  them  both 
remarkable  for  learning  and  piety.  It  is  not  un- 
reasonable to  us  to  infer  that  he  to  whom  they  came 
for  lessons  in  wisdom,  should  have  excelled  them, 
and  was  himself  a  man  of  eminent  learning:  and 
piety.  His  prayer  is  full  of  that  humility  which 
marks  the  Christian,  and  is  the  offspring  of  true 
love  to  God.  Agur  seems  to  have  been  contem- 
plating the  works  of  the  Creator,  and  we  feel  satis- 
fied he  had  looked  from  Nature  up  to  Nature's  God ; 
he  feels  his  littleness  and  dependence,  and  from  the 
depths  of  his  heart  pours  out  his  prayers.  His  re- 
flections have  left  in  his  soul  two  great  desires,  one 
regarding  his  temporal  interests  the  other  his  spirit- 
ual, both  involving  the  earnest  wish  to  become  a 
humble  follower  of  God,  by  walking  in  the  path  the 


AGUE.  141 

rigliteous  have  chosen — one  equally  removed  from 
the  alluring  vanities  of  life,  and  from  the  tempta- 
tions incident  to  the  path  of  extreme  poverty. 
Agur  asks  not  the  "flagon  of  oil  or  the  widow's 
cruse,"  neither  does  he  canonize  want  into  a  Chris- 
tian grace,  or  debase  wealth  to  a  bitter  evil.  We 
suppose  him  a  man  of  observation ;  he  had  probably 
seen  but  few  of  God's  devoted  followers  among  the 
very  wealthy,  and  perhaps  quite  as  few  among  the 
extremely  poor — both  situations  bringing  an  atten- 
dant train  of  evils  tending  to  lead  the  soul  away 
from  the  f)ath  of  life.  In  much  wealth  there  is  much 
danger,  and  though  it  may  become  a  great  blessing, 
it  may  be  "  kept  by  the  owner  to  his  hurt,"  and 
become  a  curse  to  wither  the  brain,  and  turn  to  ice 
a  heart  that  once  may  have  been  the  home  of  love 
and  charity.  Agur  had  seen  a  crown,  "  golden  in 
show,  yet  but  a  wreath  of  thorns,  bring  trouble, 
care,  and  sleepless  nights."  The  desires  in  his 
prayer  came  from  the  heart,  and  were  the  result 
of  his  reflections ;  with  his  eye  fixed  on  that  safe 
resting  spot  midway  on  the  road  to  fortune,  and 
beyond  which  one  loses  the  capacity  for  enjoyment, 
he  asks  a  moderate  amount  of  temporal  good,  so 
that  in  the  gift  he  may  not  forget  the  Giver,  and 
with  Pharaoh  ask,  "  Who  is  the  Lord?"  So  on  the 
other  hand,  he  would  be  delivered  from  the  anxie- 
ties, toils,  and  temptations  incident  to  a  state  of 
extreme  poverty,  and  chooses  that  middle  path  from 


142  THE   PEAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

wliicli  lie  may  tlie  better  lay  up  liis  treasures  in 
lieaven,  and  fix  Lis  afiections  tliere. 

"  Give  me  enough,  saith  Wisdom ; 
For  he  feareth  to  ask  for  more  ; 
Give  me  enough,  and  not  less, 
For  vrant  is  -leagued  with  the  tempter." 

We  would  liave  tlie  reader  ponder  over  this  prayer, 
for  in  tliis  gold-seeking,  gold-loving  age,  it  is  sel- 
dom brouglit  to  the  throne  of  grace.  If  God  in  his 
providence  has  given  us  wealth,  ma}^  the  petition  of 
Agur  warn  us  of  danger,  and  may  we  become,  by 
the  blessing  of  him  who  has  bestowed  it,  the  hon- 
ored instrument  of  relieving  many  who  are  in  that 
state  of  poverty  from  which  the  teacher  of  Israel 
prayed  to  be  delivered. 

* 

The  Prmjcr  as  recorded. — Proverbs  xxx. 

1  The  words  of  Agur  the  son  of  Jakeli,  even  the  prophecy  ; 
the  man  spake  unto  Ithiel,  even  unto  Ithiel  and  Ueal, 

2  Surely  I  am  more  brutish  than  any  man,  and  have  not  the 
understanding  of  a  man. 

3  I  neither  learned  wisdom,  nor  have  the  knowledge  of  the 
holy. 

4  Who  hath  ascended  up  into  heaven,  or  descended  ?  who 
hath  gathered  the  wind  in  his  fists  ?  who  hath  bound  the  waters 
in  a  garment?  who  hath  established  all  the  ends  of  the  earth? 
what  is  his  name,  and  what  is  his  son's  name,  if  thou  canst  tell  ? 

5  Every  word  of  God  is  pure  :  he  is  a  shield  unto  them  that 
put  their  trust  in  him. 

6  Add  thou  not  unto  his  words,  lest  he  reprove  thee,  and 
thou  be  found  a  liar. 


SOLOMON.  143 


7  Two  things  have  I  required  of  thee;  deny  me  them  not 
before  I  die : 

8  Remove  far  from  me  vanity  and  lies :  give  me  neither  pov- 
erty nor  riches ;  feed  me  with  food  convenient  for  me : 

9  Lest  I  be  full,  and  deny  thee,  and  say,  Who  is  the  Lord? 
or  lest  I  be  poor,  and  steal,  and  take  the  name  of  my  God  in 
vain. 


AN  ALLEGORICAL  PRAYER  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

We  would  call  tlie  attention  of  the  believer  to  tlie 
prayer  in  the  first  of  Solomon's  Songs.  We  would 
have  him  remember  it  is  the  Holy  Spirit  speaking 
by  the  "wise  man."  It  is  full  of  that  love  which 
brought  the  Son  of  God  to  bleed  and  die  for  man, 
and  of  that  love  which  he  entertains  for  his  chosen 
people,  towards  whom  he  manifests  himself  as  he 
doth  not  unto  the  world.  In  the  j)rayer  the  Church 
is  represented  as  the  spouse  of  Christ,  desiring  earn- 
estly an  evidence  of  God's  love,  and  close  fellowship 
with  the  Father  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  As  we 
advance  in  the  prayer  the  strain  becomes  still  more 
ardent,  and,  as  if  not  satisfied,  the  Church  begs  re- 
peated expressions  of  God's  favor;  she  would  be 
led  as  a  flock,  be  guarded  from  those  who  would 
lead  her  astray,  and  be  continued  steadfast  in  that 
love  which  was  now  more  precious  than  wine. 
The  force  and  beauty  of  this  allegory  can  only  be 


144  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

appreciated  by  the  truly  spiritual — those  who  are 
the  humble  children  of  God,  who  have  struggled 
and  striven  with  sin,  and  whose  hearts  are  the  abode 
of  the  Holy  S|)irit. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Solomon's  Songs  i, 

2  Let  him  kiss  me  with  the  kisses  of  his  mouth  :  for  thy  love 
is  better  than  wine. 

3  Because  of  the  savor  of  thy  good  ointments  tliy  name  is  aa 
ointment  poured  forth,  therefore  do  the  virgins  love  thee. 

4  Draw  me,  we  will  run  after  thee :  the  king  hath  brought 
me  into  his  chambers  :  we  will  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  thee,  we 
remember  thy  love  more  than  wine  :  the  upright  love  thee. 

5  I  am  black,  but  comely,  O  ye  daughters  of  Jerusalem,  as 
the  tents  of  Kedar,  the  curtains  of  Solomon. 

6  Look  not  upon  me,  because  I  am  black,  because  the  sun 
hath  looked  upon  me :  my  mother's  children  were  angr}/^  with 
me;  they  made  me  the  keeper  of  the  vineyards;  but  mine  own 
vineyard  have  I  not  kept. 

7  Tell  me,  O  thou,  whom  my  soul  loveth,  where  thou  feed- 
est,  where  thou  makest  thy  flock  to  rest  at  noon:  for  why 
should  I  be  as  one  that  turneth  aside  by  the  flocks  of  thy  com- 
panions ? 

There  is  a  continuation  of  the  same  prayer  in  the 
fourth  chapter  of  Solomon's  Songs,  and  the  Church 
still  keeps  up  her  imploring  song  for  God's  love  and 
favor : — 

16  Awake,  O  north  wind ;  and  come,  thou  south :  blow  upon 
my  garden,  that  the  spices  thereof  may  flow  out.  Let  my  be- 
loved come  into  his  garden,  and  eat  his  pleasant  fruits. 


ISAIAH.  145 


ISAIAH'S  THANKSGIVING. 

We  miglit  almost  call  Isaiah's  thanksgiving  a 
song  of  praise;  it  is  closely  connected  with  the 
prophecy  in  the  eleventh  chapter  of  Isaiah,  and 
predicts  that  the  converted  nation  of  Israel,  reflect- 
ing on  their  sufferings,  the  expression  of  God's 
anger  for  their  rejection  of  the  Messiah,  will,  when 
this  wrath  is  taken  from  them,  break  out  in  the 
strains  of  the  prophet.  The  deliverance  of  Israel 
was  a  shadow  of  the  deliverance  of  the  Church  from 
the  galling  yoke  of  Satan.  The  effects  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  are  often  beautifully  shadowed  forth  by  the 
emblem  of  clear  and  springing  water,  purifying  and 
fertilizing  whatever  it  flows  upon;  so  the  Spirit, 
when  he  enters  the  heart,  changes  its  vile  nature, 
washes  away  its  stains  of  guilt  and  sin.  This  figure 
alludes  to  a  custom  among  the  Jews.  On  the  last 
day  of  their  feast  of  tabernacles,  water  was  brought 
from  the  fountain  of  Siloah,  at  the  side  of  Mount 
Zion,  and  after  being  mixed  with  wine,  was  poured 
upon  the  sacrifice  as  it  lay  upon  the  altar.  Ho, 
every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  draw  from  the  foun- 
tain of  living  water ;  come  with  faith  and  prayer, 
and  our  souls  will  be  satisfied,  and  one  and  all 
make  this  the  song  of  our  thanksgiving,  till  we  rest 
on  the  bank  of  that  river  which  flows  by  the  throne 
of  the  Eternal. 


146  THE  PEAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

Isaiah's  Sonc/  of  ThanJcsgiving,  as  recorded. — Isaiah  xii. 

1  And  in  that  day  thou  slialt  say,  O  Lord,  I  will  praise  thee : 
though  thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine  anger  is  turned  away, 
and  thou  comfortedst  me. 

2  Behold,  God  is  my  salvation ;  I  will  trust,  and  not  be 
afraid :  for  the  Lord  JEHOVAH  is  my  strength  and  my  song ; 
he  also  is  become  my  salvation. 

3  Therefore  with  joy  shall  ye  draw  water  out  of  the  wells  of 
salvation. 

4  And  in  that  day  shall  ye  say,  Praise  the  Lord,  call  upon 
his  name,  declare  his  doings  among  the  people,  make  mention 
that  his  name  is  exalted. 

5  Sing  unto  the  Lord  ;  for  he  hath  done  excellent  things : 
this  is  known  in  all  the  earth. 

6  Cry  out  and  shout  thou  inhabitant  of  Zion:  for  great  is 
the  Holy  One  of  Israel  in  the  midst  of  thee. 


ISAIAH'S  ACKNOWLEDGMENT  OF  GOD'S  MERCY. 

In  his  most  lofty  and  poetic  strains  the  prophet 
extols  the  Divine  perfection,  and  praises  God  in 
prospect  of  the  accomplishment  of  the  prophecies  he 
had  just  delivered.  Isaiah  had  himself  witnessed 
the  fulfillment  of  many  prophecies.  Egypt  in  all 
her  strength  and  beauty  had  been  laid  waste  that 
Israel  might  be  delivered ;  the  cities  of  Canaan  had 
been  destroyed  that  the  Israelites  might  possess  their 
inheritance;  Babylon  the  Great  and  Tyre,  with 
their  splendid  palaces  and  ghttering  domes,  would 


ISAIAH.  147 

be  desolated,  wliile  Jerusalem  the  "holy  city," 
would  become  a  "palace  of  strangers."  These  and 
all  other  changes  relating  to  the  ruin  of  all  anti- 
Christian  opposers  of  the  gospel,  were  the  burden 
of  the  prophet's  thought.  Grod  has  always  protect- 
ed his  Church,  and  guarded  well  her  bulwarks ; 
though  at  times  her  numbers  have  been  small,  the 
prophet  has  predicted  that  all  nations  shall  be  gath- 
ered unto  her.  By  the  term  "strangers,"  is  meant 
lieathen,  and,  as  St.  Paul  calls  them,  "aliens  to  the 
commonwealth  of  Israel."  In  the  sixth,  seventh,  and 
eighth  verses,  there  is  a  prophecy  of  the  sufferings 
of  our  Savior,  and  the  glory  which  should  follow, 
from  the  time  of  his  coming  on  earth  till  the  heav- 
ens shall  be  rolled  away  as  a  scroll  and  time  be  no 
longer.  In  the  last  verses  there  is  an  allusion  to 
the  joy  of  heaven,  the  home  of  the  redeemed.  How 
wonderfully  in  these  latter  days  is  God  removing 
"the  veil  that  is  spread  over  all  nations,"  as  the 
prophet  so  poetically  expresses  it,  and  the  banner 
of  Jehovah  has  not  only  been  raised  in  the  islands 
of  the  sea,  but  God  is  fast  fulfilling  the  predictions 
of  this  inspired  prophet,  and  making  to  himself  a 
"  feast  of  fat  things  of  wine  on  the  lees  well  refined." 

IsaiaKs  AcJcnowledgment,  c&c,  as  recorded.— l^scmh  xxv. 

1  O  Lord,  thou  art  my  God ;  I  will  exalt  thee,  I  will  praise 
thy  name ;  for  thou  hast  done  wonderful  things ;  thy  counsels 
of  old  are  faithfulness  and  truth. 

2  For  thou  hast  made  of  a  city  a  heap ;  of  a  defenced  city  a 


148  THE  PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

ruin :  a  palace  of  strangers  to  be  no  city ;  it  shall  never  be 
built. 

3  Therefore  shall  the  strong  people  glorify  thee,  the  city  of 
the  terrible  nations  shall  fear  thee. 

4  For  thou  hast  been  a  strength  to  the  poor,  a  strength  to  the 
needy  in  his  distress,  a  refuge  from  the  storm,  a  shadow  from 
the  heat,  when  the  blast  of  the  terrible  ones  is  as  a  storm  against 
the  wall. 

5  Thou  shalt  bring  down  the  noise  of  strangers,  as  the  heat 
in  a  dry  place;  even  the  heat  with  the  shadow  of  a  cloud  :  the 
branch  of  the  terrible  ones  shall  be  brought  low. 

6  And  in  this  mountain  shall  the  Lord  of  hosts  make  unto 
all  people  a  feast  of  fat  things,  a  feast  of  wines  on  the  lees,  of 
fat  things  full  of  marrow,  of  wines  on  the  lees  well  refined. 

7  And  he  will  destroy  in  this  mountain  the  fiice  of  the  cover- 
ing cast  over  all  people,  and  the  vail  that  is  spread  over  all  na- 
tions. 

8  He  will  swallow  up  death  in  victory ;  and  the  Lord  God 
will  wipe  away  tears  from  off  all  faces;  and  the  rebuke  of  his 
people  shall  he  take  away  from  off  all  the  earth :  for  the  Lord 
hath  spoken  it. 


ISAIAH'S  TRUST  IN  GOD  AND.  PRAYER  FOR  THE 
CHURCH. 

Many  and  often  were  tlie  prophet's  prayers  offer- 
ed at  the  throne  of  the  Eternal,  the  silent  night 
watches  and  early  morning  hour  found  him  engaged 
in  this  high  communing,  and  it  is  no  wonder  his 
heart  was  the  abode  of  that  peace  the  world  knows 
not  of,  or  that  the  trust  and  confidence  he  expresses 


JSAIAH.  149 

should  in  so  large  a  measure  be  enjoyed  b}^  bim. 
The  prayer  following  is  full  of  that  victory  God 
gives  to  his  people  over  their  foes.  The  day  spoken 
of  in  the  first  verse  refers  to  that  point  in  the  future 
when  the  New  Testament  Babylon  shall  be  destroy- 
ed; then  shall  the  Church  break  forth  with  this 
prayer  or  thanksgiving.  The  ruin  of  Kome  wdll 
prepare  the  way  for  the  establishment  of  the  church 
of  God.  "The  foot  of  the  poor  and  needy"  God 
will  make  a  powerful  instrument  in  carrjdng  out  his 
mighty  plans.  The  "righteous  nation,"  instead  of 
being  confined  to  Judea  will  be  finally  extended  to 
all  the  ends  of  the  earth.  In  Israel,  the  very  land 
of  righteousness,  were  many  hardened  and  impeni- 
tent ;  this  seems  to  cause  great  grief  in  the  prophet's 
heart,  and  he  bewails  bitterly  their  blindness. 

Prayer  of  the  Church  as  recorded. — Isaiah  xxvi. 

1  In  that  day  shall  this  song  be  sung  in  the  land  of  Judah  ; 
We  have  a  strong  city;  salvation  will  God  appoint  for  walls  and 
bulwarks. 

2  Open  ye  the  gates,  that  the  righteous  nation  which  keepetli 
the  trutii  may  enter  in. 

3  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed 
on  thee  :  because  he  trusteth  in  thee. 

4  Trust  ye  in  the  Lord  for  ever :  for  in  the  Lord  JEHOVAH 
is  everlasting  strength : 

5  For  he  bringeth  down  them  that  dwell  on  high;  the  lofty 
city,  he  layeth  it  low ;  he  layeth  it  low,  even  to  the  ground;  he 
bringeth  it  even  to  the  dust. 


150  THE   PEAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

6  The  foot  shall  tread  it  down,  even  the  feet  of  the  poor,  and 
the  steps  of  tlie  needy. 

7  The  way  of  the  just  is  uprightness;  thou,  most  upright, 
dost  weigh  the  path  of  the  just. 

8  Yea,  in  the  way  of  thy  judgments,  O  Lord,  have  we  wait- 
ed for  thee ;  the  desire  of  our  soul  is  to  thy  name,  and  to  the 
remembrance  of  thee. 

9  With  my  soul  have  I  desired  thee  in  the  night;  yea,  with 
my  spirit  within  me  will  I  seek  thee  early:  for  when  thy  judg- 
ments are  in  the  earth,  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  will  learn 
righteousness. 

10  Let  favor  be  showed  to  the  wicked,  yet  will  he  not  learn 
righteousness:  in  the  land  of  uprightness  will  he  deal  unjustly, 
and  will  not  behold  the  majesty  of  tiie  Lord. 

11  Lord,  when  thy  hand  is  lifted  up,  they  will  not  see:  but 
they  shall  see,  and  be  ashamed  for  their  envy  at  the  people; 
yea  the  fire  of  thine  enemies  shall  devour  them. 

12  Lord,  thou  wilt  ordain  peace  for  us:  for  thou  also  hast 
wrought  all  our  works  in  us. 

13  O  Lord  our  God,  other  lords  beside  thee  have  had  do- 
minion over  us :  but  by  thee  only  will  we  make  mention  of  thy 
name. 

14  They  are  dead,  they  shall  not  live ;  they  are  deceased, 
they  shall  not  rise :  therefore  hast  thou  visited  and  destroyed 
them,  and  made  all  their  memory  to  perish. 

15  Thou  hast  increased  the  nation  O  Lord,  thou  hast  in- 
creased the  nation :  thou  art  glorified :  thou  hadst  removed  it 
far  unto  all  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

16  Lord,  in  trouble  have  they  visited  thee,  they  poured  out  a 
prayer  when  thy  chastening  was  upon  them. 

17  Like  as  a  woman  with  child,  that  draweth  near  the  time  of 
her  delivery,  is  in  pain,  and  crieth  out  in  her  pangs;  so  have  we 
been  in  thy  sight,  O  Lord. 


ISAIAH.  151 

18  We  have  been  with  child,  we  have  been  in  pain,  we  have 
as  it  were  brought  forth  wind ;  we  have  not  wrought  ariy  de- 
liverance in  the  earth ;  neither  have  the  inhabitants  of  the  world 
fallen. 

19  Thy  dead  men  shall  live,  together  with  my  dead  body 
shall  they  arise.  Awake  and  sing,  ye  that  dwell  in  dust:  for 
thy  dew  is  as  the  dew  of  herbs,  and  the  earth  shall  cast  out  the 
dead. 


PRAYER  OF  THE  CHURCH  FOR  DELIVERANCE  FROM 
HER  ENEMIES. 

In  the  first  jDart  of  tlie  chapter  of  wliicli  this 
prayer  forms  a  part,  are  many  assurances  of  help 
and  protection;  and  the  Church,  encouraged  by 
these,  offers  her  petition.  By  the  "  arm  of  the  Lord," 
is  meant  his  power,  and  by  "  the  ancient  days,"  the 
former  generations  of  Israel.  As  the  Jews  of  old 
returned  from  Babylon  to  Zion  with  songs  of  joy,  so 
that  nation  will  be  delivered  and  restored  to  the 
promised  land.  The  Church  reposes  in  confidence 
in  God's  promises ;  from  every  land  the  voice  of 
prayer  for  her  prosperity  enters  the  ear  of  the  Al- 
mighty. "The  Lord's  portion  is  his  jieople;  Jacob 
is  the  lot  of  his  inheritance ;  he  found  him  in  a  desert 
land,  he  led  him  about,  he  instructed  him,  he  kept 
him  as  the  apple  of  his  eye."  For  the  safety  of  his 
chosen  people,  and  for  their  deliverance  from  oppres- 
sion, God  has  overthrown  nations   and   destroyed 


152  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

kings.  There  is  a  light  in  every  page  of  history 
to  the  spiritual  vision  of  the  child  of  God ;  he  reads 
in  its  records  the  annals  of  Infinite  Wisdom  and 
Mercy  as  blended  and  developed  in  the  great  work 
of  human  redemption.  Let  not  the  children  of  God 
faint  and  grow  weary,  for  "  the  pillar  of  cloud  and 
of  fire,"  guards  them  as  safely  as  it  did  of  old  ;  "  the 
vine  brought  out  of  Egypt "  can  never  be  uprooted, 
for  the  "  Christian  Church  is  the  favorite  child  of  an 
ever -watchful  Providence." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Isaiah  H. 

9  Awake,  awake,  put  on  strength,  O  arm  of  the  Lord  ;  awake, 
as  in  the  ancient  days,  in  the  generations  of  old.  Art  thou  not 
it  that  hath  cut  Rahab,  and  wounded  the  dragon"? 

10  Art  thou  not  it  which  hath  dried  the  sea,  the  waters  of  the 
great  deep;  that  hath  made  the  depths  of  the  sea  a  way  for  tlie 
ransomed  to  pass  over  ? 

11  Therefore  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and 
come  with  singing  unto  Zion ;  and  everlasting  joy  shall  be  upon 
their  head:  they  shall  obtain  gladness  and  joy;  and  sorrow  and 
mourning  shall  flee  away. 


ISRAEL'S  PRAYER  IN  RETURNING  TO  GOD,  AND  FOR 
THE  UNCONVERTED  REMNANT  OF  THE  PEOPLE. 

In  the  following  prayer  the  prophet  has  given  us 
the  words  that  penitent  Israel  shall  use  in  returning 
to  the  Lord.     The  prayer  is  preceded  by  a  thankful 


ISAIAH.  153 

commemoration  of  God's  former  mercies,  and  an 
earnest  inquiring  whether  tliey  are  forgotten  by 
the  Most  High;  though  all  should  disown  them, 
yet  they  earnestly  beseech  him  to  remember  them, 
acknowledging  humbly  there  is  help  in  no  other. 
There  is  a  beautiful  allusion  to  the  frailty  of  human 
hopes,  represented  by  the  figure  of  the  fading  leaf, 
so  also  an  expression  of  the  willingness  of  God's 
chosen  people  to  be  entirely  submissive,  even  as  the 
clay  in  the  hands  of  the  potter.  The  "  beautiful 
house "  alluded  to  was  the  temple  of  Jerusalem, 
now  desolated.  But  this  prayer  of  Israel  will  be 
heard ;  she  hath  not  been  cast  off  forever,  nor  is  she 
to  be  always  trodden  down  by  the  Gentiles.  In  the 
beautiful  imagery  of  this  prophet,  a  voice  will  say 
to  the  oppressed  and  fallen  ones,  "  Arise  shine,  for 
thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  arisen 
upon  thee."  We  know  not  the  precise  instrumen- 
tality God  will  employ  to  call  these  wanderers  from 
every  island  and  shore  on  which  they  are  scattered, 
but  we  believe  that  the  north  shall  give  up  and 
the  south  keep  not  back,  and  the  sons  and  daugh- 
ters of  Israel  shall  be  gathered  from  far,  for  the 
voice  of  the  Almighty  has  spoken  it.  God  will  hear 
the  prayer  of  penitent  Israel,  and  of  his  chosen 
children,  for  her  welfare  and  restoration.  The  re- 
ligion of  Jesus,  so  long  despised,  will  yet  become 
theirs,  and  every  hill-top  and  valley  of  Judea  shall 
echo  the    song,   "Glory   to   God  in  the    highest; 


154:  THE  PEATERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

peace  on  earth  and  good  will  to  men."  We  are 
taught  by  the  prophet  in  this  prayer  to  put  no  trust 
whatever  in  our  own  merits,  that  our  supplications 
must  be  earnest,  that  God  may  be  approached  as  a 
Father,  and  that  all  who  come  in  this  way  will  pre- 
vail; and  though  God  chooses  his  own  time,  and 
his  people  are  sorely  afflicted,  yet  all  who  trust  in 
his  mercy  shall  be  accepted,  and  inherit,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  this  prayer,  the  joy  that  no  eye  but  God 
hath  seen. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Isaiah  Ixiii  &  Ixiv. 

15  Look  down  from  heaven,  and  behold  from  the  habitation 
of  thy  holiness  and  of  thy  glory :  where  is  thy  zeal  and  thy 
strength,  the  sounding  of  thy  bowels  and  of  thy  mercies  toward 
me  ?  are  they  restrained  ? 

16  Doubtless  thou  art  our  fither,  though  Abraham  be  igno- 
rant of  us,  and  Israel  acknowledge  us  not :  thou,  O  Lord,  art 
our  father,  our  redeemer ;  thy  name  is  from  everlasting. 

17  O  Lord,  why  hast  thou  made  us  to  err  from  thy  ways, 
and  hardened  our  heart  from  thy  fear  ?  Return  for  thy  servants' 
sake,  the  tribes  of  thine  inheritance. 

18  The  people  of  thy  holiness  have  possessed  it  but  a  little 
while:  our  adversaries  have  trodden  down  thy  sanctuary. 

19  We  are  thine:  thou  never  barest  rule  over  them;  they 
were  not  called  by  thy  name. 

Isaiali  Ixiv. 

1  Oh  that  thou  wouldest  rend  the  heavens,  that  thou  would- 
est  come  down,  that  the  mountains  might  flow  down  at  thy 
presence. 
-  2  As  when  the  melting  fire  burneth,  the  fire  causeth  the  waters 


ISAIAH.  155 

to  boil,  to  make  thy  name  known  to  thine  adversaries,  that  the 
nations  may  tremble  at  thy  presence  ! 

3  When  thou  didst  terrible  things  which  we  looked  not  for, 
thou  earnest  down,  the  mountains  flowed  down  at  thy  presence. 

4  For  since  the  Beginning  of  the  world  men  have  not  heard, 
nor  perceived  by  the  ear,  neither  hath  the  eye  seen,  O  God,  be- 
side thee,  what  he  hath  prepared  for  him  that  waiteth  for  him. 

5  Thou  meetest  him  that  rejoiceth  and  worketh  righteous- 
ness, those  that  remember  thee  in  thy  ways :  behold,  thou  art 
wroth ;  for  we  have  sinned :  in  those  is  continuance,  and  we 
shall  be  saved. 

6  But  we  are  all  as  an  unclean  thing,  and  all  our  righteous- 
nesses are  as  filthy  rags ;  and  we  all  do  fade  as  a  leaf;  and  our 
iniquities,  like  the  wind,  have  taken  us  away. 

7  And  there  is  none  that  calleth  upon  thy  name,  that  stirreth 
up  himself  to  take  hold  of  thee:  for  thou  hast  hid  thy  face  from 
us,  and  hast  consumed  us,  because  of  our  iniquities. 

8  But  now,  O  Lord,  thou  art  our  fiither;  we  are  the  clay, 
and  thou  our  potter ;  and  we  all  are  the  work  of  thy  hand. 

9  Be  not  wroth  very  sore,  O  Lord,  neither  remember  iniquity 
for  ever:  behold,  see,  we  beseech  thee,  we  are  all  thy  people. 

10  Thy  holy  cities  are  a  wilderness,  Zion  is  a  wilderness, 
Jerusalem  a  desolation. 

11  Our  holy  and  our  beautiful  house,  where  our  fathers 
praised  thee,  is  burned  up  with  fire:  and  all  our  pleasant  things 
are  laid  waste. 

12  Wilt  thou  refrain  thyself  for  these  things,  O  Lord  ?  wilt 
thou  hold  thy  peace  and  afflict  us  very  sore  1 

The  Lord's  Ansiuer. — Isaiah  Ixv  &  Ixvi. 

1  I  am  sought  of  them  that  asked  not  for  me ;  I  am  found  of 
them  that  sought  me  not :  I  said,  Behold  me,  behold  me,  unto 
a  nation  that  was  not  called  by  name. 


156  TnE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

2  I  have  spread  out  my  hands  all  the  day  unto  a  rebellious 
people,  whicli  walketli  in  a  way  that  was  not  good,  after  their 
own  thoughts ; 

3  A  people  that  provoketh  me  to  anger  continually  to  my 
face  ;  that  sacrificeth  in  gardens,  and  burneth  ihcense  upon  altars 
of  brick ; 

4  Which  remain  among  the  graves,  and  lodge  in  the  monu- 
ments, which  eat  swine's  flesh,  and  broth  of  abominable  things 
is  in  their  vessels; 

5  Which  say,  Stand  by  thyself,  come  not  near  to  me;  for  I 
am  holier  than  thou.  These  are  a  smoke  in  my  nose,  a  fire  that 
burneth  all  the  day. 

6  Behold,  it  is  written  before  me :  I  will  not  keep  silence, 
but  will  recompense,  even  recompense  into  their  bosom, 

7  Your  iniquities,  and  the  iniquities  of  your  fathers  together, 
saith  the  Lord,  which  have  burned  incense  upon  the  mountains, 
and  blasphemed  me  upon  the  hills:  therefore  will  I  measure 
their  former  work  into  their  bosom. 

8  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  As  the  new  wine  is  found  in  the 
cluster,  and  one  saith,  Destroy  it  not;  for  a  blessing  is  in  it:  so 
will  I  do  for  my  servants'  sakes,  that  I  may  not  destroy  them  all. 

9  And  I  will  bring  forth  a  seed  out  of  Jacob,  and  out  of 
Judah  an  inheritor  of  my  mountains :  and  mine  elect  shall  in- 
herit it,  and  my  servants  shall  dwell  there. 

10  And  Sharon  shall  be  a  fold  of  flocks,  and  the  valley  of 
Achor  a  place  for  the  herds  to  lie  down  in,  for  my  people  that 
have  sought  me. 

1 1  But  ye  are  they  that  forsake  the  Lord,  that  forget  my 
holy  mountain,  that  prepare  a  table  for  that  troop,  and  that  fur- 
ish  the  drink  offering  unto  that  number. 

12  Therefore  will  I  number  you  to  the  sword,  and  ye  shall 
all  bow  down  to  the  slaughter;  because  when  I  called,  ye  did 
not  answer;  when  I  spake,  ye  did  not  hear;  but  did  evil  before 

'  mine  eyes,  and  did  choose  that  wherein  I  delighted  not. 


ISAIAH.  157 

13  Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  Behold,  my  servants 
shall  eat,  but  ye  shall  he  hungry:  behold,  my  servants  sliall 
drink,  but  ye  shall  be  thirsty :  behold,  my  servants  shall  rejoice, 
but  ye  shall  be  asliamed : 

14  Behold,  my  servants  sliall  sing  for  joy  of  heart,  but  ye 
shall  cry  for  sorrow  of  heart,  and  sliall  howl  for  vexation  of 
spirit. 

15  And  ye  shall  leave  your  name  for  a  curse  unto  my  chosen  : 
for  the  Lord  God  shall  slay  tiiee,  and  call  his  servants  by  an- 
other name : 

16  That  he  who  blesseth  liimself  in  the  earth  shall  bless  him- 
self in  the  God  of  truth;  and  he  that  sweareth  in  the  earth  shall 
swear  by  the  God  of  truth ;  because  the  former  troubles  are  for- 
gotten, and  because  they  are  hid  from  mine  eyes. 

17  For,  behold,  I  create  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth  :  and 
the  former  shall  not  be  remembered,  nor  come  into  mind. 

18  But  be  ye  glad  and  rejoice  for  ever  in  that  which  I  create : 
for,  behold,  I  create   Jerusalem  .i  rejoicing,  and   her  people  a 

joy- 

19  And  I  will  rejoice  in  Jerusalem,  and  joy  in  my  people: 
and  the  voice  of  weeping  shall  be  no  more  heard  in  her,  nor 
the  voice  of  crying. 

20  There  shall  be  no  more  thence  an  infant  of  days,  nor  an 
old  man  that  hath  not  filled  his  days:  for  the  child  shall  die  a 
hundred  years  old;  but  the  sinner  being  a  hundred  years  old 
shall  be  accursed. 

21  And  they  shall  build  houses  and  inhabit  them;  and  they 
shall  plant  vineyards,  and  eat  the  fruit  of  them. 

22  They  shall  not  build  and  another  inhabit;  they  shall  not 
plant  and  another  eat :  for  as  the  days  of  a  tree  are  the  days  of 
my  people,  and  mine  elect  shall  long  enjoy  the  work  of  their 
hands, 

23  They  shall  not  labor  in  vain,  nor  bring  forth  for  trouble; 


158  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

for  they  are  the  seed  of  the  blessed  of  the  Lord,  and  their  off- 
spring with  them. 

24  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  before  they  call,  I  will 
answer ;  and  while  they  are  yet  speaking,  I  will  hear. 

25  The  wolf  and  the  lamb  shall  feed  together,  and  the  Hon 
shall  eat  straw  like  the  bullock:  and  dust  shall  be  the  serpent's 
meat.  They  sliall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  my  holy  moun- 
tain, saith  the  Lord. 

Isaiali  Ixvi. 

1  Thus  saith  the  Loed,  The  heaven  is  my  throne,  and  the 
earth  is  my  footstool :  where  is  the  house  that  ye  build  unto 
me  ?  and  where  is  the  place  of  my  rest  ? 

2  For  all  those  things  hath  mine  hand  made,  and  all  those 
things  have  been,  saith  the  Lord  :  but  to  this  man  will  I  look, 
even  to  him  that  is  poor  and  of  a  contrite  spirit,  and  trembleth 
at  my  word. 

3  He  that  killeth  an  ox  is  as  if  he  slew  a  man  ;  he  that  sacri- 
ficeth  a  Iamb,  as  if  he  cut  off  a  dog's  neck ;  he  that  offereth  an 
oblation,  as  if  he  offered  swine's  blood ;  he  that  burneth  incense, 
as  if  he  blessed  an  idol.  Yea,  they  have  chosen  their  own  ways, 
and  their  soul  delighteth  in  their  abominations. 

4  I  also  will  choose  their  delusions,  and  will  bring  their  fears 
upon  them;  because  when  I  called  none  did  answer;  when  1 
spake,  they  did  not  hear :  but  they  did  evil  before  mine  eyes, 
and  chose  that  in  which  I  delighted  not. 

6  Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  ye  that  tremble  at  his  word; 
Your  brethren  that  hated  you,  that  cast  you  out  for  my  name's 
sake,  said,  Let  the  Lord  be  glorified :  but  he  shall  appear  to 
your  joy,  and  they  shall  be  ashamed. 

6  A  voice  of  noise  from  the  city,  a  voice  from  the  temple,  a. 
voice  of  the  Lord  that  rendereth  recompense  to  his  enemies. 

7  Before  she  travailed,  she  brought  forth ;  before  her  pain 
came  she  was  delivered  of  a  man  child. 


ISAIAH.  159 

8  Who  hath  heard  such  a  thing  ?  who  hath  seen  such  things  ? 
Shall  the  earth  be  made  to  bring  forth  in  one  day  1  or  shall  a 
nation  be  horn  at  once?  for  as  soon  as  Zion  travailed  she 
brought  forth  her  children. 

9  Shall  I  bring  to  the  birth  and  not  cause  to  bring  forth  ? 
saith  the  Lord  :  shall  I  cause  to  bring  forth,  and  shut  the 
womb  ?  saith  thy  God  1 

10  Rejoice  ye  with  Jerusalem,  and  be  glad  with  her,  all  ye 
that  love  her:  rejoice  for  joy  with  her,  all  ye  that  mourn  for 
her : 

1 1  That  ye  may  suck  and  be  satisfied  with  the  breasts  of  her 
consolations;  that  ye  may  milk  out,  and  be  delighted  with  the 
abundance  of  her  glory. 

12  For  thus  saith  the  Lord,  Behold,  I  will  extend  peace  to 
her  like  a  river,  and  the  glory  of  the  Gentiles  like  a  flowing 
stream :  then  shall  ye  suck,  ye  shall  be  borne  upon  her  sides, 
and  be  dandled  upon  her  knees. 

13  As  one  whom  his  mother  comforteth,  so  will  I  comfort 
you ;  and  ye  shall  be  comforted  in  Jerusalem. 

14  And  when  ye  see  this,  your  heart  shall  rejoice,  and  your 
bones  shall  flourish  like  an  herb :  and  the  hand  of  the  Lord 
shall  be  known  toward  his  servants,  and  his  indignation  toward 
his  enemies. 

15  For,  behold,  the  Lord  will  come  with  fire,  and  with  his 
chariots  like  a  whirlwind,  to  render  his  anger  with  fury,  and  his 
rebuke  with  flames  of  fire. 

16  For  by  fire  and  by  his  sword  will  the  Lord  plead  with  all 
flesh  :  and  the  slain  of  the  Lord  shall  be  many. 

17  They  that  sanctify  themselves,  and  purify  themselves  in 
the  gardens  behind  one  tree  in  the  midst,  eating  swine's  flesh, 
and  the  abomination,  and  the  mouse,  shall  be  consumed  together, 
saith  the  Lord. 

18  For  I  know  their  works  and  their  thoughts :  it  shall  come 


160  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

that  I  will  gather  all  nations  and  tongues;  and  they  shall  come, 
and  see  my  glory. 

19  And  I  will  set  a  sign  among  them,  and  I  will  send  those 
that  escajie  of  them  unto  the  nations,  to  Tarshish,Pu],  andLud, 
that  draw  the  bow,  to  Tubal,  and  Javan,  to  the  isles  afar  off, 
that  have  not  heard  my  fame,  neither  have  seen  my  glory;  and 
they  shall  declare  my  glory  among  the  Gentiles. 

20  And  they  shall  bring  all  your  brethren  for  an  offering  unto 
the  Lord  out  of  all  nations  upon  horses,  and  in  chariots  and  in 
litters,  and  upon  mules,  and  upon  swift  beasts,  to  my  holy 
mountain  Jerusalem,  saith  the  Lord,  as  the  children  of  Israel 
bring  an  offering  in  a  clean  vessel  into  the  house  of  the  Lord. 

21  And  I  will  also  take  of  them  for  priests  and  for  Levites, 
saith  the  Lord, 

22  For  as  the  new  heavens  and  the  new  earth,  which  I  will 
make,  shall  remain  before  me,  saith  the  Lord,  so  shall  your 
seed  and  your  name  remain. 

23  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  from  one  new  moon  to  an- 
other, and  from  one  sabbatii  to  anotiier,  shall  all  flesh  come  to 
worship  before  me,  said  the  Lord. 

24  And  they  shall  go  forth,  and  look  upon  the  carcases  of 
the  men  that  have  transgressed  against  me :  for  their  worm 
shall  not  die,  neither  shall  their  fire  be  quenched;  and  they 
shall  be  an  abhorring  unto  all  flesh. 


PRAYER  OF  THE   PROPHET  JEREMIAH. 

Jeremiali  was  one  of  the  chief  of  the  Hebrew 
prophets,  the  sou  of  Ililkiah,  and  of  the  sacerdotal 
face.  When  he  was  called  to  prophecy  by  the  Lord, 


JEREMIAH.  161 

Jerusalem  was  in  a  distressed  condition,  and  being 
very  young,  lie  seems  afraid  to  undertake  the  great 
work  before  liim — a  feeling  clearly  expressed  by  his 
prayer.  But  he  was  the  "chosen  of  the  Lord,"  and 
through  the  long  period  of  forty -two  years,  was  a 
faithful  and  devoted  servant — in  the  midst  of  severe 
persecution  faithful  in  prayer  and  in  denouncing 
God's  judgments  upon  his  guilty  nation  and  the 
devoted  city  of  Jerusalem.  It  is  the  opinion  of 
many  Bible  students  that  he  finally  died  a  martyr 
to  the  cause  to  which  his  life  had  been  devoted. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Jeremiah  i. 

4  Then  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  me,  saying, 

6  Before  I  formed  thee  in  the  belly  I  knew  thee ;  and  before 

thou  earnest  forth  out  of  the  womb  I  sanctified  thee,  and  I 

ordained  thee  a  prophet  unto  the  nations. 

6  Then  said  I,  Ah,  Lord  God  !  behold,  I  cannot  speak :  for  I 
am  a  child. 

The  Lord''s  Ansiver. — Jeremiah  i. 

7  But  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  Say  not,  I  am  a  child ;  for  thou 
shalt  go  to  all  that  I  shall  send  thee,  and  whatsoever  I  com- 
mand thee  thou  shalt  speak. 

8  Be  not  afraid  of  their  faces :  for  1  am  with  thee  to  deliver 
thee,  saith  the  Lord. 

9  Then  the  Lord  put  forth  his  hand,  and  touched  my  mouth. 
And  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  Behold,  I  have  put  my  words  in 
thy  mouth. 

10  See,  I  have  this  day  set  thee  over  the  nations  and  over 
the  kingdoms,  to  root  out  and  to  pull  down,  and  to  destroy,  and 
to  throw  down,  to  build,  and  to  plant. 


162  THE   PRATERS   OF  THE  BIBLE. 


A  VOICE  OF  WEEPING  AND  SUPPLICATION  FROM 
ISRAEL. 

The  propliet  in  most  touching  and  tender  strains, 
represents  Israel  as  weeping  over  their  sad  condi- 
tion, confessing  that  thej  are  suffering  the  conse- 
quences of  gross  sin  and  departure  from  God,  ac- 
knowledging that  from  their  youth  up  they  have 
disobeyed  the  voice  of  the  Almighty,  In  carefully 
reflecting  on  the  beautiful  language  of  the  prophet, 
we  find  it  teaching  a  lesson  of  deep  significance  to 
every  heart,  "We  cannot  be  truly  penitent  without 
being  conscious  of  our  depravity,  and  of  the  iniquity 
of  even  our  most  holy  things,  and  while  God  invites 
us  to  come  to  his  mercy-seat  with  all  this  guilt  upon 
us,  and  thus  glorifies  the  abundance  of  his  own 
grace,  he  requires  the  knowledge  and  humble  con- 
fession of  our  sin.  In  this  frame  of  mind  the  great- 
est transgressor  has  nothing  to  fear.  God  offers 
everything  to  the  penitent  and  nothing  to  the  pre- 
sumptuous. There  are  tears  mingled  in  this  peti- 
tion; for  the  prophet  tells  us  it  was  a  "voice  of 
weeping  and  supplication." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Jeremiah  iii. 

21  A  voice  was  heard  upon  the  high  places,  weeping  and 
supplications  of  the  children  of  Israel :  for  they  have  perverted 
their  way,  and  they  have  forgotten  the  Lord  their  God. 

22  Return,  ye  backsliding  children,  and  I  will  heal  your  back 


JEREMIAH.  108 


slidings.     Behold,  we  come  unto  thee ;  for  thou  art  the  Lord 
our  God. 

23  Truly  in  vain  is  snlvation  hoped  for  from  the  hills,  and 
from  the  multitude  of  mountains  :  truly  in  the  Lord  our  God  is 
the  salvation  of  Israel. 

24  For  shame  hath  devoured  the  labor  of  our  fathers  from 
our  youth;  their  flocks  and  their  herds,  their  sons  and  their 
daughters. 

25  We  lie  down  in  our  shame,  and  our  confusion  covereth 
us;  for  we  have  sinned  against  the  Lord  our  God,  we  and  our 
fathers,  from  our  youth  even  unto  this  day,  and  have  not  obey- 
ed the  voice  of  the  Lord  our  God, 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Jeremiah  iv. 

1  If  thou  wilt  return,  O  Israel,  saith  the  Lord,  return  unto 
me :  and  if  thou  wilt  put  away  thine  abominations  out  of  my 
sight,  then  shalt  thou  not  remove. 

2  And  thou  shalt  swear,  The  Lord  liveth,  in  truth,  in  judg- 
ment, and  in  righteousness ;  and  the  nations  shall  bless  them- 
eeives  in  him,  and  in  him  shall  they  glory. 


JEREMIAH  TRAYETH  AND  TEACHETH  HIS  PEOPLE 
HOW  TO  VIEW"  CALAMITY. 

Rebellious  under  trial,  and  disinclined,  tlie  people 
are  invited  by  the  prophet  to  God's  throne  in  prayer, 
to  the  only  source  of  strength  and  power.  They 
had  indeed  great  need  of  support,  for  grievous  were 
their  present  troubles.  The  haughty  Nebuchadnez- 
zar hearing  of  Zedekiah's  rebellion,  came  with  all 


164  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

liis  power  against  Jerusalem,  and  his  forces  were  too 
strong  to  be  resisted.  The  Egyptians  on  whom  the 
Jews  had  rehed  for  help  failed  to  assist  them ;  the 
Chaldeans  were  marching  directly  to  Judea;  this 
exjjlains  the  phrase,  "the  noise  of  the  bruit."  The 
prophet  prays  that  God  would  remember  them  in 
love.  The  phrase  "  They  have  eaten  up  Jacob,"  re- 
fers to  the  idolatrous  nations  who  had  oppressed 
Jacob  his  people. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Jeremiah  x. 

23  O  Lord,  I  know  tliat  the  way  of  man  is  not  in  liimself: 
it  is  not  in  man  that  walketli  to  direct  his  steps. 

24  O  Lord,  correct  me,  but  with  judgment;  not  in  thine 
anger,  lest  thou  bring  me  to  nothing. 

25  Pour  out  thy  fury  upon  the  heathen  that  know  thee  not, 
and  upon  the  families  that  call  not  on  thy  name:  for  they 
have  eaten  up  Jacob,  and  devoured  him,  and  consumed  him,  and 
have  made  his  habitation  desolate. 


JEREMIAH,  PERPLEXED  01^  ACCOUNT  OF  CONSPIRACY, 
PRAYS. 

The  prophet's  heart  is  troubled  on  account  of  the 
prosperity  of  the  wicked  about  him,  and  the  success 
of  their  conspiracies.  Anathoth  was  a  city  of  the 
tribe  of  Benjamin,  near  Jerusalem,  and  it  was  from 
the  men  of  this  place  the  projjhet  feared  much,  and 
in,  his  own  judgment  supposed  if  the  Lord  would 


JEEEMIAH.  165 


but  pour  out  his  fury  on  them^  the  ruin  of  his  nation 
might  be  prevented.  This  is  the  theme  of  the 
prophet's  prayer.  He  knows  the  Lord  is  righteous 
in  all  his  deahngs,  but  he  would  "talk  with  the 
Lord,"  to  use  his  own  language,  "  of  his  judgments." 
He  exercises  a  degree  of  imjDatience  which  in  the 
Lord's  answer  is  gently  reproved.  We  are  taught 
by  this  prayer  that  God's  ways  are  not  our  ways, 
and  that  although  his  dealings  with  us  are  often 
mysterious,  He,  the  All- wise,  is  making  our  path 
for  us ;  guiding  every  event  for  our  good,  and  will 
eventually  deliver  us  from  all  trials. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Jeremiah  xii. 

1  Righteous  art  thou,  O  Lord,  when  I  plead  with  thee  :  yet 
let  me  talit  with  thee  of  thy  judgments :  Wherefore  doth  the 
way  of  tJie  wicked  prosper  ?  wherefore  are  all  they  happy  that 
deal  very  treacherously  ? 

2  Thou  hast  planted  them,  yea,  they  have  taken  root :  they 
grow,  yea,  they  bring  forth  fruit:  thou  art  near  in  their  mouth, 
and  far  from  their  reins. 

3  But  thou,  O  Lord,  knowest  me :  thou  hast  seen  me,  and 
tried  mine  heart  toward  thee  :  pull  them  out  like  sheep  for  the 
slaughter,  and  prepare  them  for  the  day  of  slaughter. 

4  How  long  shall  the  land  mourn,  and  the  herbs  of  every 
field  wither, for  the  wickedness  of  them  that  dwell  therein?  the 
beasts  are  consumed,  and  the  birds ;  because  they  said,  He 
shall  not  see  our  last  end. 

The  Lord\'s  Ansiver. — Jeremiah  xii. 

5  If  thou  hast  run  with  the  footmen,  and  they  have  wearied 
thee,  then  how  canst  thou  contend  with  horses  ?   and  if  in 


166  THE   PEAYEES   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

the  land  of  peace  wherein  thou  trustedst,  they  wearied  thee, 
then  how  wilt  thou  do  in  the  swelling  of  Jordan? 

6  For  even  thy  brethren,  and  the  house  of  thy  father,  even 
they  have  dealt  treacherously  with  thee ;  yea,  they  have  called 
a  multitude  after  thee :  believe  them  not,  though  they  speak 
fair  words  unto  thee. 


JEREMIAH  INTERCEDES  FOR  HIS  PEOPLE  IN"  TIME  OF 

FAMINE. 

The  land  of  Judali  was  mourning,  her  hills  and 
valleys  were  parched,  and  her  people  suffering  from 
the  effects  of  famine.  The  highest  in  the  land  as 
well  as  the  poorest  were  alike  panting  for  water, 
and  the  children  of  the  nobles  returned  from  the 
dry  fountains  with  their  pitchers  empty.  The 
animal  creation  too  joined  in  the  universal  cry  of 
distress  and  sorrow,  and  a  wail  was  heard  through 
all  the  land;  the  prophet  pleads  with  God  with 
more  zeal  than  knowledge,  as  the  Lord's  answer 
leads  us  to  infer ;  he  would  have  him-  show  to  the 
Gentiles  he  was  ready  to  save,  that  the  honor  of  his 
name — his  goodness — laid  him,  as  it  were,  under 
obligations  to  succor  his  people.  But  the  Lord  says, 
in  reply  to  the  prophet,  he  will  punish  them  for 
their  sins,  as  they  do  not  forsake  them  through  love 
or  fear  to  him ;  the  prayer  is  not  accepted.  Here 
again  is  the  Christian  reader  taught  a  useful  lesson, 
that  he  must  forsake  his  sins  and  love  God,  would 


JEEEMIAH.  167 


he  have  his  prayers  answered ;  if  there  is  secret  sin 
cherished,  in  vain  will  he  call  upon  Him.  Such 
petitions  are  an  "  abomination." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded^ — Jeremiah  xiv. 

7  O  LoKB,  though  our  iniquities  testify  against  us,  do  thou  it 
for  thy  name's  sake :  for  our  backslidings  are  many ;  we  have 
sinned  against  thee. 

8  O  the  hope  of  Israel,  the  saviour  thereof  in  time  of  trouble, 
why  shouldest  thou  be  as  a  stranger  in  the  land,  and  as  a  way- 
foring  man  that  turneth  aside  to  tarry  for  a  night  ? 

9  Why  shouldest  thou  be  as  a  man  astonied,  as  a  mighty  man 
that  cannot  save  ?  yet  thou,  O  Lord,  art  in  the  midst  of  us,  and 
we  are  called  by  thy  name ;  leave  us  not. 

The  LotxVs  Answer. — Jeremiah  xiv. 

iO  Til  us  saith  the  Lord  unto  this  people.  Thus  have  they 
5oved  to  wander,  they  have  not  refrained  their  feet,  therefore 
the  Lord  doth  not  accept  them ;  he  will  now  remember  their 
iniquity  and  visit  their  sins. 

11  Then  said  the  Lord  unto  me,  Pray  not  for  this  people  for 
their  good. 

12  When  they  fast  I  will  not  hear  their  cry;  and  when  they 
offer  burnt  offering  and  an  oblation,  I  will  not  accept  them  :  but 
I  will  consume  them  by  the  sword,  and  by  the  famine  and  by 
the  pestilence. 

As  if  convinced  the  Lord  was  right  and  just  in 
thus  dealing  with  them,  the  prophet  seems  at  a  loss 
to  know  Avhat  to  plead  further  for  his  people ;  he 
remembers  that  false  prophets  have  given  them 
repeated  assurances  of  the  favor  of  God ;  but  the 
prophet  is  met  here  by  the  answer  of  the  Lord,  in 
denoancing  these  prophets  as  false. 


168  TUE   PEAYEES   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

13  Then  said  I,  Ah,  Lord  God!  beliold  the  prophets  say 
iinto  them,  Ye  shall  not  see  the  sword,  neither  shall  ye  have 
famine ;  but  I  will  give  you  assured  peace  in  this  place. 

The  Lord's  Answer. 

14  Then  the  Lord  said  unto  rae,  The  prophets  prophecy  lies 
in  my  name:  I  sent  them  not,  neither  have  I  commanded  them, 
neither  spake  unto  them  :  they  proi)hecy  unto  you  a  false  vision 
and  divination,  and  a  thing  of  naught,  and  the  deceit  of  their 
heart. 

15  Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord  concerning  the  propheta 
that  prophecy  in  my  name,  and  I  sent  them  not,  yet  they  say, 
Sword  and  fiunine  shall  not  be  in  this  land;  by  sword  and  fam- 
ine shall  those  prophets  be  consumed. 

16  And  the  people  to  whom  they  prophecy  shall  be  cast  out 
in  the  streets  of  Jerusalem  because  of  the  famine  and  the  sword  ; 
and  they  shall  have  none  to  bury  them,  them,  their  "wives,  nor 
their  sons,  nor  their  daughters :  for  I  will  pour  their  wickedness 
upon  them. 

17  Therefore  thou  shalt  say  this  word  unto  them;  Let  mine 
eyes  run  down  with  tears  night  and  day,  and  let  them  not  cease : 
for  the  virgin  daughter  of  my  people  is  broken  with  a  great 
breach,  with  a  very  grievous  blow. 

The  Prophet  still  pleads  earnestly  for  his  people. 

Hath  tlie  Lord  cast  off  Judali  ?  By  tliis  lie  means 
tlie  visible  cliurcli  in  whicli  the  promised  Messiah 
should  be  raised  up.  The  temple  in  which  he  mani- 
fested his  especial  presence  above  the  mercy-seat, 
was  the  "  throne  of  his  glory,"  would  it  not  be  dis- 
graced if  heathen  were  allowed  to  enter  and  profane 
it? 


JEREMIAH.  169 


Jeremiah  xiv. 

19  Hast  thou  utterly  rejected  Judah  1  hath  thy  soul  loathed 
Zion  ?  why  hast  thou  smitten  us,  and  there  is  no  healing  for  us ! 
we  looked  for  peace,  and  there  is  no  good :  and  for  the  time  of 
healing,  and  behold  trouble  ! 

20  We  acknowledge,  O  Lord,  our  wickedness,  and  the  in- 
iquity of  our  folhers :  for  we  have  sinned  against  thee. 

21  Do  not  ablior  us,  for  thy  name's  sake,  do  not  disgrace  the 
throne  of  thy  glory:  remember,  break  not  thy  covenant  with  us. 

22  Are  there  any  among  the  vanities  of  the  Gentiles  that  can 
cause  rain  ?  or  can  the  heavens  give  showers  ?  art  not  thou  lie, 
O  LoKD  our  God  ?  therefore  we  will  wait  upon  thee :  for  thou 
hast  made  all  these  things. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Jeremiah  xv. 

1  Then  said  the  Lord  unto  me,  Though  Moses  and  Samuel 
stood  before  me,  yet  my  mind  could  not  be  toward  this  people : 
cast  them  out  of  my  sight,  and  let  them  go  forth. 

2  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  if  they  say  unto  thee.  Whither 
shall  we  go  forth?  then  thou  shalt  tell  them.  Thus  saith  the 
Lord  ;  such  as  are  for  death,  to  death ;  and  such  as  are  for  the 
sword,  to  the  sword;  and  such  as  are  for  the  famine  to  the 
famine ;  and  such  as  are  for  the  captivity,  to  the  captivity. 

3  And  I  will  appoint  over  them  four  kinds,  saith  the  Lord  : 
the  sword  to  slay,  and  the  dogs  to  tear,  and  the  fowls  of  the 
heaven,  and  the  beasts  of  the  earth,  to  devour  and  destroy. 

4  And  I  will  cause  them-  to  be  removed  into  all  kingdoms  of 
the  earth,  because  of  Manasseh  the  son  of  Hezekiah  king  of 
Judah,  for  that  which  he  did  in  Jerusalem. 

5  For  who  shall  have  pity  upon  thee,  O  Jerusalem  ?  or  who 
shall  bemoan  thee?  or  who  sJiall  go  aside  to  ask  how  thou 
doest  ? 

6  Thou  hast  forsaken  me,  aaith  tiie  Lord. 


170  THE  PRAYERS   OF   THE  BIBLE. 

Jeremiah,  not  yet  satisfied  with  the  LorcVs  Answer,  still 
X>leads. 

Jeremiah,  felt  as  many  a  child  of  God  has  felt, 
and  there  are  but  few  who  cannot  sympathize  with 
the  prophet  as  he  continues  to  plead.  We  think, 
with  the  aid  about  us,  we  may  look  into  his  mind 
for  a  moment  as  he  pours  out  his  prayer,  and  see 
him  reasoning  with  himself,  and  wondering,  no 
doubt,  at  the  Lord's  answers  to  him.  He  feels  him- 
self hated,  despised,  and  rejected  by  the  world — the 
fearful  lot  of  many  of  God's  chosen,  and  he  cannot 
yet  understand  why  all  these  afflictions  may  not  be 
removed ;  he  seems  to  review  his  own  life,  to  exam- 
ine his  own  heart  as  he  prays  to  the  Almighty ;  he 
is  not  conscious  of  holding  back  the  truth,  but  he 
knows  he  has  proclaimed  the  whole  counsel  of  God. 
Is  it  for  any  sin  he  has  committed  ?  In  deep  grief 
the  prophet  pours  out  his  petition  and  reminds  God 
of  his  promises. 

The  Prayer  continued^  as  recorded. — Jeremiah  xv. 

15  O  Lord,  thou  kiiowest:  remember  me,  and  visit  me,  and 
revenge  me  of  my  persecutors;  take  me  not  away  in  thy  long- 
suffering  :  know  that  for  thy  sake  I  have  suflered  rebuke. 

16  Thy  words  were  found,  and  I  did  eat  them ;  and  thy  word 
was  unto  me  the  joy  and  rejoicing  of  mine  heart :  for  I  am 
called  by  thy  name,  O  Lord  God  of  hosts. 

17  I  sat  not  in  the  assembly  of  the  mockers,  nor  rejoiced;  I 
sat  alone  because  of  thy  hand :  for  thou  hast  filled  me  with 
indignation. 


JEREMIAH.  171 


18  Why  ia  my  pain  perpetucal,  and  my  wound  incurable, 
which  refuseth  to  be  healed  ?  wilt  thou  be  altogether  unto  me 
as  a  liar,  and  as  waters  that  fail  ? 

The  Lord's  Ansvjer. 

19  Therefore,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  If  thou  return,  then  will  I 
bring  thee  again,  and  thou  shalt  stand  before  me :  and  if  tliou 
take  forth  the  precious  from  the  vile,  tliou  shalt  be  as  my  mouth  : 
let  them  return  unto  thee ;  but  return  not  thou  unto  them. 

20  And  I  will  make  thee  unto  this  people  a  fenced  brazen 
wall :  and  they  shall  fight  against  thee,  but  they  shall  not  pre- 
vail against  thee :  for  I  am  with  thee  to  save  thee  and  to  deliver 
thee,  saith  the  Lord. 

21  And  I  will  deliver  thee  out  of  the  hand  of  the  wicked,  and 
I  will  redeem  thee  out  of  the  liand  of  the  terrible. 

Jeremiah  still  'prays. 

He  pleads  for  calmness  of  mind,  for  peace  and 
com^DOSure,  and  to  be  saved  from  tlie  power  of  liis 
enemies,  wlio  continued  to  treat  his  predictions  with, 
contempt.  The  prophet  spake  as  moved  by  God, 
or  rather  God  spake  by  the  prophet,  and  those  who 
forsook  him  forsook  the  Lord.  Would  not  the 
memory  of  such  be  soon  blotted  out  or  become  in- 
famous— their  names  be  "written  in  the  earth," 
as  the  prophet  expresses  it  in  this  prayer?  He  re- 
minds the  Lord  he  would  not  have  chosen  the  path 
that  he  had  appointed  him  to  walk  in,  neither  had 
he  desired  this  "woful  day."  Tliere  is  much  con- 
fusion in  his  mind  on  account  of  his  great  troubles, 
and  some  apprehension  of  God's  displeasure  towards 
him. 


172  THE   PllAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

Jeremiali  xvii.       • 

13  O  Lord,  the  hope  of  Israel,  uU  that  forsake  thee  shall  be 
ashamed,  and  they  that  depart  from  me  shall  be  written  in  the 
earth,  because  they  have  forsaken  the  Lord,  the  fountain  of 
living  waters. 

14  Heal  me,  O  Lord,  and  I  shall  be  healed:  save  me,  and  I 
shall  be  saved  :  for  thou  art  my  praise. 

15  Behold,  they  say  unto  me,  where  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  ? 
let  it  come  now. 

16  As  for  me,  I  have  not  hastened  from  being  a  pastor  to 
follow  thee :  neither  have  I  desired  the  woful  day ;  thou  know- 
est :  that  which  came  out  of  my  lips  was  right  before  thee. 

17  Be  not  a  terror  unto  me,  thou  art  my  hope  in  the  day  of 
evil. 

18  Let  them  be  confounded  that  persecute  me,  but  let  not 
me  be  confounded :  let  them  be  dismayed,  but  let  not  me  be 
dismayed :  bring  upon  them  the  day  of  evil,  and  destroy  them 
with  double  destruction. 

The  LorcVs  Anstoer. 

19  Thus  said  the  Lord  unto  me;  Go  and  stand  in  the  gate 
of  the  children  of  tlie  people,  whereby  the  kings  of  Judah  come 
in,  and  by  the  which  they  go  out,  and  in  all  the  gates  of  Jeru- 
salem ; 

20  And  say  unto  them  hear  ye  the  word  of  the  Lord,  ye  kings 
of  Judah,  and  all  Judah,  and  all  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem, 
that  enter  in  by  these  gates : 

21  Thus  saith  the  Lord  ;  Take  heed  to  yourselves,  and  bear 
no  burden  on  the  sabbath  day,  nor  bring  it  in  by  the  gates  of 
Jerusalem ; 

22  Neither  carry  forth  the  burden  out  of  your  houses  on  the 
sabbath  day,  neither  do  ye  any  work,  but  hallow  ye  the  sabbath 

'  day,  as  I  commanded  your  fiithers. 


JEREMIAH.  173 


24  And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  if  ye  diligently  hearken  unto 
me,  saith  the  Lokd,  to  bring  in  no  burden  through  the  gates  of 
this  city  on  the  sabbath  day,  but  hallow  the  sabbath  day,  to  do 
no  work  therein  j 

25  Then  shall  there  enter  into  this  city  the  gates  of  the  kings 
and  princes  sitting  upon  the  throne  of  David,  riding  in  chariots 
and  on  horses,  they,  and  their  princes,  the  men  of  Judah,and  the 
inhabitants  of  Jerusalem :  and  this  city  shall  remain  for  ever. 

26  And  they  shall  come  from  the  cities  of  Judah,  and  from 
the  places  about  Jerusalem,  and  from  the  land  of  Benjamin,  and 
from  the  plain,  and  from  the  mountains,  and  from  the  south, 
bringing  burnt  offerings  and  sacrifices,  and  meat  offerings,  and 
incense,  and  bringing  sacrifices  of  praise,  unto  the  house  of  the 
Lord. 

27  But  if  ye  will  not  hearken  unto  me  to  hallow  the  sabbath 
day,  and  not  to  bear  a  burden,  even  entering  in  at  the  gates  of 
Jerusalem  on  the  sabbath  day ;  then  will  I  kindle  a  fire  in  the 

•  gates  thereof,  and  it  shall  devour  the  palaces  of  Jerusalem,  and 
it  shall  not  be  quenched. 


A  VOICE  OF  WEEPING  AND  SUPPLICATION  FROM 
RACHEL. 

Racliel  was  the  motlier  of  Joseph  and  Benjamin, 
and  a  large  proportion  .of  her  descendants  now  in- 
habited Israel ;  the  prophet  in  a  figure  represents 
her  as  rising  from  her  grave,  which  was  in  Eamah, 
or  between  it  and  Bethlehem,  and  weeping  over  the 
desolation  made  among  her  descendants.  The  Lord 
in  his  answer  promises  that  those  who  are  scattered 


X74  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

shall  finally  return,  and  that  lier  labor  in  rearing 
them  shall  eventually  be  rewarded. 

Itachers  Sujyj^Ucatmi,  as  recorded, — Jeremiali  xxxi. 

15  A  voice  was  heard  in  Ramah,  lamentation,  and  bitter 
weeping ;  Rahel  weeping  for  her  children  refused  to  be  com- 
forted for  her  children,  because  they  were  not. 

The  Lord^s  Answer. 

16  Thus  saith  the  Lord;  Refrain  thy  voice  from  weeping, 
and  thine  eyes  from  tears  :  for  thy  work  shall  be  rewarded,  saith 
the  Lord  ;  and  they  shall  come  again  from  the  land  of  the  ene- 
my. 

17  And  there  is  hope  in  thine  end,  saith  the  Lord,  that  thy 
children  shall  come  again  to  their  own  border. 


THE  BEMOANINGS  OF  EPHRAIM. 

Ephraim  represents  here  the  ten  tribes  of  Israel. 
Rebellious  under  Grod's  chastisements  they  had  been 
impatient  and  unsubmissive,  but  convinced  of  the 
depth  of  their  guilt,  astonished  at  their  great  in- 
gratitude, and  deeply  penitent  like  the  prodigal  son, 
they  are  represented  as  coming  to  themselves,  or  to 
a  knowledge  of  their  position,  as  one  of  danger,  and 
seeking  God  as  their  portion.  In  his  answer  the 
Lord  assures  them  he  has  followed  them  in  all  their 
wanderings,  waiting  to  be  gracious,  and  now  that 
they  are  sensible  of  their  sin  and  God's  justice,  they 


JEEEMIAH.  175 


shall  surely  find  mercy.  Let  tlie  "Qnconverted  man, 
as  lie  reads  the  bemoanings  of  Ephraim,  draw  from 
them  the  great  lesson  God  has  written  here  for  the 
salvation  of  his  soul. 

The  Bemoanings  of  Ephraim  as  recorded. — Jeremiah  xxxi. 

18  I  have  surely  heard  Ephraim  bemoaning  himself  thus: 
Thou  hast  chastised  me,  and  I  was  chastised,  as  a  bullock  un- 
accustomed to  the  yoke :  turn  thou  me,  and  I  shall  be  turned ; 
for  thou  art  the  Loed  ray  God. 

19  Surely  after  that  I  was  turned,  I  repented;  and  after  that 
I  was  instructed,  1  smote  upon  my  thigh:  I  was  ashamed,  yea, 
even  confounded,  because  I  did  bear  the  reproach  of  my  youth. 

The  Lord's  Answer. 

20  Is  Ephraim  my  dear  son  ?  is  he  a  pleasant  child  ?  for  since 
I  spake  against  him,  I  do  earnestly  remember  him  still ;  there- 
fore my  bowels  are  troubled  for  him ;  I  will  surely  have  mercy 
upon  him,  saith  the  Lord. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  JEREMIAH  IN  PRISON". 

The  prophet  had  been  confined  in  the  court  of 
the  prison,  that  he  might  not  deliver  his  predictions. 
Zedekiah  and  his  princes  were  determined  to  silence 
this  man  of  God,  and  to  hold  out  to  the  very  last 
extremity  against  the  superior  power  of  the  Chal- 
deans. In  prison  the  prophet  could  still  pray ;  no 
circumstance  could  shut  him  away  from  this  privi- 


176  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE  BIBLE. 

lege ;  tlius  far  liad  lie  been  faithful  to  his  high  com- 
mission. 

"  Servant  of  God,  well  done  !     "Well  hast  thou  fought 
The  better  fight,  'who  singly  hast  maintained 
Against  revolted  multitudes  the  cause 
Of  truth,  in  word  mightier  than  they  in  arms ; 
And  for  the  testimony  of  truth  hast  borne 
Universal  reproach,  far  worse  to  bear 
Than  violence  ;  for  this  was  all  thy  care, 
To  stand  approved  in  sight  of  God,  though  worlds 
Judged  thee  perverse." 

The  Lord  made  tnown  to  the  prophet  that  Hana- 
meel  would  come  to  sell  him  a  field  which  he  must 
buy.  All  the  land  was  now  already  in  the  hands 
of  the  Chaldeans,  and  during  the  famine  the  field 
was  offered  for  the  small  price  of  about  forty  shil- 
lings; the  prophet  found  it  inconvenient  to  part 
even  with  so  small  a  sum,  and  could  not  possibly  in 
his  own  judgment,  at  present,  reap  much  advantage 
from  the  purchase.  The  Lord  was  explicit  in  direc- 
tions with  regard  to  the  deeds,  and  ordered  them 
preserved  in  such  a  manner  that  they  would  not 
be  liable  to  decay  or  loss.  The  prophet  in  his  prayer 
seems  perplexed ;  he  cannot  understand  why  the 
command  should  clash  with  the  predictions  he  had 
been  sent  to  deliver,  and  he  seems  to  inquire  of  the 
Lord  resj^ecting  the  matter  in  this  prayer.  "  The 
mounts"  signifies  anything  that  is  cast  up — a  ram- 
part— and  is  also  used  for  engines  of  war  laid  on  a 
■  high  place  to  be  ready  for  an  attack  on  a  city. 


JEKEMIAH.  177 


The  propliet  seems  to  mourn  deeply,  for  lie  had, 
no  doubt,  a  secret  hope  that  the  "city"  would  be 
spared.  Why  had  the  Lord  been  so  particular  about 
the  purchase  of  this  field,  so  exact  about  the  wit- 
nesses and  deeds,  if  the  land  was  to  be  inhabited  by 
his  enemies. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Jeremiah  xxxii. 

16  Now  when  I  had  delivered  the  evidence  of  the  purchase 
unto  Baruch  the  son  of  Neriah,  I  prayed  unto  the  Lord,  saying, 

17  Ah  Lord  God  !  behold,  thou  hast  made  the  heaven  and  the 
earth  by  thy  great  power  and  stretched  out  arm,  and  there  is 
nothing  too  hard  for  thee  : 

18  Thou  showest  lovingkindness  unto  thousands,  and  recom- 
pensest  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  into  the  bosom  of  their  chil- 
dren after  them :  the  Great,  the  Mighty  God,  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
is  his  name. 

19  Great  in  counsel,  and  mighty  in  work  ;  for  thine  eyes  are 
open  upon  all  the  ways  of  the  sons  of  men  ;  to  give  every  one 
according  to  his  ways,  and  according  to  the  fruit  of  his  doings  ; 

20  Which  hast  set  signs  and  wonders  in  the  land  of  Egypt, 
even  unto  this  day,  and  in  Israel,  and  among  other  men;  and 
hast  made  thee  a  name,  as  at  this  day ; 

21  And  hast  brought  forth  thy  people  Israel  out  of  the  land 
of  Egypt  with  signs,  and  with  wonders,  and  with  a  strong  hand, 
and  with  a  stretched  out  arm,  and  with  great  terror : 

22  And  hast  given  them  this  land,  which  thou  didst  swear  to 
their  fathers  to  give  them,  a  land  flowing  with  milk  and  honey  ; 

23  And  they  came  in  and  possessed  it;  but  they  obeyed  not 
thy  voice,  neither  walked  in  thy  law ;  they  have  done  nothing  of 
all  that  thou  commandedst  them  to  do :  therefore  thou  hast 
caused  all  this  evil  to  come  upon  them  : 


178  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

24  Behold  the  mounts,  they  are  come  unto  tlie  city  to  take 
it;  and  the  city  ia  given  into  the  hand  of  the  Chaldeans,  tliat 
fight  against  it,  because  of  the  sword,  and  of  the  ftimine,  and  of 
the  pestilence :  and  what  thou  hast  spoken  is  come  to  pass ; 
and,  behold,  thou  seest  it. 

25  And  thou  hast  said  unto  me,  O  Lord  God,  Buy  thee  the 
field  for  money,  and  take  witnesses;  for  the  city  is  given  into 
hand  of  the  Chaldeans. 

The  Lord's  Ansiver. — Jeremiab  xxxii. 

26  Then  came  the  word  of  the  Lord  unto  Jeremiah,  saying, 

27  Behold,  I  am  the  Lord,  the  God  of  all  flesh :  is  there  any 
thing  too  hard  for  me  ? 

28  Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord  ;  Behold,  I  will  give  this 
city  into  the  hand  of  the  Chaldeans,  and  into  the  hand  of  Nebu- 
chadrezzar king  of  Babylon,  and  he  shall  take  it : 

29  And  the  Chaldeans,  that  fight  against  this  city,  shall  come 
and  set  fire  on  this  city,  and  burn  it  with  the  houses,  upon  whose 
roofs  they  have  offered  incense  unto  Baal,  and  poured  out  drink 
oflferings  unto  other  gods,  to  provoke  me  to  anger. 

30  For  the  children  of  Israel  and  the  children  of  Judah  have 
only  done  evil  before  me  from  their  youth :  for  the  children  of 
Israel  have  only  provoked  me  to  anger  with  the  work  of  their 
hands,  saith  the  Lord. 

31  For  this  city  has  been  to  me  as  a  provocation  of  mine 
anger  and  of  my  fury  from  the  day  that  they  built  it  even  unto 
this  day;  that  I  should  remove  it  from  before  my  face, 

32  Because  of  all  the  evil  of  the  children  of  Israel  and  of  the 
children  of  Judah,  which  they  have  done  to  provoke  me  to  anger, 
they,  their  kings,  their  princes,  their  priests,  and  their  prophets, 
and  the  men  of  Judah,  and  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem. 

33  And  they  have  turned  unto  me  the  back,  and  not  the 
face :  though  I  taught  them,  rising  up  early  and  teaching  them, 
yet  they  have  not  hearkened  to  receive  instruction. 


JEREMIAH.  179 


34  But  they  set  their  abominations  in  the  house,  which  is 
called  by  my  name,  to  defile  it. 

35  And  they  built  the  high  places  of  Baal,  which  are  in  the 
valley  of  the  son  of  Hinnom,  to  cause  their  sons  and  their 
daughters  to  pass  through  the  fire  unto  Molech ;  which  I  com- 
manded them  not,  neither  came  it  into  my  mind,  that  they 
should  do  this  abomination,  to  cause  Judah  to  sin. 

36  And  now  therefore,  thus  saith  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Israel, 
concerning  this  city,  whereof  ye  say  it  shall  be  delivered  into 
the  hand  of  the  king  of  Babylon  by  the  sword,  and  by  the  fam- 
ine, and  by  the  pestilence; 

37  Behold,  I  will  gather  them  out  of  all  countries,  whither  I 
have  driven  them  in  mine  anger,  and  in  my  fury,  and  in  great 
wrath ;  and  I  will  bring  them  again  unto  this  place,  and  I  will  • 
cause  them  to  dwell  safely : 

38  And  they  shall  be  my  people,  and  I  will  be  their  God : 

39  And  I  will  give  them  one  heart,  and  one  way,  that  they 
may  fear  me  for  ever,  for  the  good  of  them,  and  of  their  chil- 
dren after  them: 

40  And  I  will  make  an  everlasting  covenant  with  them,  that 

I  will  not  turn  away  from  them,  to  do  them  good;  but  I  will     < 
put  my  fear  in  their  hearts,  that  they  shall  not  depart  from  me. 

41  Yea,  I  will  rejoice  over  them  to  do  them  good,  and  I  will 
plant  them  in  this  land  assuredly  with  my  whole  heart,  and  with 
my  whole  soul. 

42  For  thus  saith  the  Lord  ;  Like  as  I  have  brougiit  all  this 
great  evil  upon  this  people,  so  will  I  bring  upon  them  all  the 
good  that  I  have  promised  them. 

43  And  fields  shall  be  bought  in  this  land,  whereof  ye  say,  It 
is  desolate  without  man  or  beast;  it  is  given  into  the  hand  of 
the  Chaldeans. 

44  Men  shall  buy  fields  for  money,  and  subscribe  evidences 
and  seal  them,  and  take  witnesses  in  the  land  of  Benjamin,  and 
in  the  places  about  Jerusalem,  and  in  the  cities  of  Judah,  and  in 


180  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

the  cities  of  the  mountains,  and  in  the  cities  of  the  valley,  and  in 
the  cities  of  the  south ;  for  I  will  cause  their  captivity  to  return, 
saith  the  Lord. 

The  Lord's  Second  Ansiver  to  Jeremiah,  in  Prison. 
Jeremiah  xxxiii. 

1  Moreover  the  w^ord  of  the  Lord  came  unto  Jeremiali  the 
second  time,  while  he  was  yet  shut  up  in  the  court  of  the  pris- 
on, saying, 

2  Thus  saith  the  Lord  the  maker  thereof,  the  Lord  that 
formed  it,  to  establish  it ;  the  Lord  is  his  name ; 

3  Call  unto  me,  and  I  will  answer  thee,  and  show  thee  great 
and  mighty  things,  which  thou  knowest  not. 

'  4  For  thus  saith  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Israel,  concerning  the 
houses  of  this  city,  and  concerning  the  houses  of  the  kings  of 
Judah,  which  are  thrown  down  by  the  mounts,  and  by  the 
sword ; 

6  They  come  to  fight  wtth  the  Chaldeans,  but  it  is -to  fill 
them  with  the  dead  bodies  of  men,  whom  I  have  slain  in  mine 
anger  and  in  my  fury,  and  for  all  whose  wickedness  I  have  hid 
my  fiice  from  this  city. 

6  Behold,  I  will  bring  it  healtli  and  cure,  and  I  will  cure  them, 
and  will  reveal  unto  them  the  abundance  of  peace  and  truth. 

7  And  I  will  cause  the  captivity  of  Judah  and  the  captivity  of 
Israel  to  return,  and  will  build  them,  as  at  the  first. 

8  And  I  will  cleanse  them  from  all  their  iniquity,  whereby 
they  have  sinned  against  me  ;  and  I  will  pardon  all  their  iniqui- 
ties, whereby  they  have  sinned,  and  whereby  they  have  trans- 
gressed against  me. 

9  And  it  shall  be  to  me  a  name  of  joy,  a  praise  and  an  honor 
before  all  the  nations  of  the  earth,  which  shall  hear  all  the  good 
that  I  do  unto  them :  and  they  shall  fear  and  tremble  for  all  the 
goodness  and  for  all  the  prosperity  that  I  procure  unto  it. 


JEREMIAH.  181 


10  Thus  saith  the  Lord;  again  there  shall  be  heard  in  this 
place,  whicii  ye  say  shall  bs  desolate  without  man  and  without 
beast,  even  in  the  cities  of  Jadah,  and  in  the  streets  of  Jerusa- 
lem, that  are  desolate,  without  man,  and  without  inhabitant, 
and  without  beast, 

11  The  voice  of  joy,  and  the  voice  of  gladness,  the  voice  of 
the  bridegroom,  and  the  voice  of  the  bride,  the  voice  of  them 
that  shall  say,  Praise  the  Lord  of  hosts  ;  for  the  Lord  is  good  ; 
for  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever:  and  of  them  that  shall  bring 
the  sacrifice  of  praise  into  the  house  of  the  Lord.  For  I  will 
cause  to  return  the  captivity  of  the  land,  as  at  the  first,  saith  the 
Lord. 

12  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts;  Again  in  this  place,  which 
is  desolate  without  man  and  without  beast,  and  in  all  the  cities 
thereof,  shall  be  an  habitation  of  shepherds  causing  their  flocks 
to  lie  down. 

13  In  the  cities  of  the  mountains,  in  the  cities  of  the  vale, 
and  in  the  cities  of  the  south,  and  in  the  land  of  Benjamin,  and 
in  the  places  about  Jerusalem,  and  in  the  cities  of  Judah,  shall 
the  flocks  pass  again  under  the  hands  of  him  that  telleth  them , 
saith  the  Lord. 

14  Behold,  the  da3's  come,  saith  the  Lord,  that  I  will  perform 
that  good  thing  which  I  have  promised  unto  the  house  of  Israel, 
and  to  the  house  of  Judah. 

15  In  those  days,  and  at  that  time,  will  I  cause  the  Branch 
of  righteousness  to  grow  up  unto  David;  and  he  shall  execute 
judgment  and  righteousness  in  the  land. 

16  In  those  days  shall  Judah  be  saved,  and  Jerusalem  shall 
dwell  safely:  and  this  is  the  name  wherewith  she  shall  be  called, 
The  Lord  our  righteousness. 

17  For  thus  saith  the  Lord  ;  David  shall  never  want  a  man 
to  sit  upon  the  throne  of  the  house  of  Israel ; 

18  Neither  shall  the  priests  the  Levites  want  a  man  before 

9 


182  THE   PRAYEES   OF  THE  BIBLE. 

me  to  offer  burnt  offerings,  and  to  kindle  meat  offerings,  and  to 
do  sacrifice  continually. 

19  And  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  Jeremiah,  saying, 

20  Thus  saith  the  Lord  ;  If  ye  can  break  my  covenant  of  the 
day,  and  my  covenant  of  the  night,  and  that  there  should  not  be 
day  and  night  in  their  season ; 

21  Then  may  also  my  covenant  be  broken  with  David  my 
servant,  that  he  should  not  have  a  son  to  reign  upon  his  throne ; 
and  with  the  Levites  the  priests,  my  ministers. 

22  As  the  host  of  heaven  cannot  be  numbered,  neither  the 
sand  of  the  sea  measured;  so  will  I  multiply  the  seed  of  David 
my  servant,  and  the  Levites  that  minister  unto  me. 

23  Moreover  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  Jeremiah,  saying, 

24  Considerest  thou  not  what  this  people  have  spoken,  say- 
ing. The  two  families  which  the  Lord  hath  chosen,  he  hath  even 
cast  them  off?  thus  they  have  despised  my  people,  that  they 
should  be  no  more  a  nation  before  them. 

25  Thus  saith  the  Lord  ;  If  my  covenant  be  not  with  day 
and  night,  and  if  I  have  not  appointed  the  ordinances  of  heaven 
and  earth ; 

26  Then  will  I  cast  away  the  seed  of  Jacob,  and  David 
my  servant,  so  that  I  will  not  take  any  of  his  seed  to  be 
rulers  over  the  seed  of  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob :  for  I  will 
cause  their  captivity  to  return,  and  iiave  mercy  on  them. 


LAMENT  OF  JEREMIAH. 


After  Israel  was  carried  captive  and  Jerusalem 
desolated,  tlie  prophet  mourned,  or  as  lias  been  said, 
■ "  bewailed  this  wailino;."  '  The  whole  of  this  book 


JEREMIAH.  183 


of  Lamentations  might  be  called  a  poem,  for  it  is 
not  only  liiglilj  poetical  in  its  language,  but  there 
is  much  order  as  well  as  rythm  in  it.  There  are 
twentj-two  stanzas  in  each  chapter ;  each  verse  in 
the  first  two  begins  with  a  letter  of  the  Hebrew 
alphabet  in  regular  order.  The  affliction,  the  deso- 
lation and  distress,  surrounding  the  prophet,  are 
represented  by  such  images  and  language  as  convey 
to  us  the  magnitude  and  religious  importance  of  the 
great  calamities  he  weeps  over.  The  Jews  have 
called  this  book  of  the  prophet,  "  Kinnoth,"  or  tears. 
In  the  annexed  prayer  Jerusalem,  or  Zion,  is  repre- 
sented as  a  sorrowful  female  bereft  of  her  children, 
deserted,  "sitting  solitary," — adversaries  surround- 
ing her — but  in  the  midst  of  trouble  acknowledo-ino- 

o      o 

God  is  just;  her  sense  of  guilt  is  intolerable  to  her  ; 
from  friends  she  finds  no  relief,  her  appeal  is  then 
made  to  God,  who  alone  can  help,  and  who  will 
deal  with  his  enemies  and  friends  according  to  his 
eternal  justice.  This  prayer  is  peculiarly  applicable 
to  the  case  of  every  convinced  sinner.  In  this  cold 
world  there  is  little  of  comfort.  Sin,  the  "fruit 
of  that  forbidden  tree  whose  mortal  taste  brought 
death  into  our  world  and  all  our  wo,"  has  taken 
deep  root  in  the  human  heart,  has  marred  the  glory 
and  beauty  of  our  moral  nature.  Tears,  floods  of 
tears,  should  be  shed  by  us,  as  with  the  "sorrowing 
female  "  of  the  prophet  we  weep  over  the  desolation 
that  vice  has  spread  around  us.     But  there  is  a 


184  THE   PllAYEKS   OF   THE   EIBLE. 

mercj-seat,  an  ear  open  to  hear  our  "complaint," 
and  to  it  we  may  have  access,  if  we  but  acknow- 
ledge with  the  prophet  we  have  grievously  rebel- 
led ;  if  we  find  the  earth  "  a  vale  of  tears,"  we  may 
call  upon  a  God  of  love. 

To  the  mourner  be  is  pointing 

To  a  home  of  light  above, 
Where  sorrow  is  forgotten 

And  all  is  joy  and  love. 
His  ready  hand  will  wipe  away 

Your  penitential  tears, 
Will  heal  your  wouuded  broken  heart, 

And  baulsh  all  your  fears. 

Lament  of  Jeremiah  as  recorded. — Lamentations  i. 

18  The  Lord  is  righteous ;  for  I  have  rebelled  against  his 
commandment :  hear,  1  pray  you,  all  people,  and  behold  my 
sorrow:  ray  virgins  and  my  young  men  are  gone  into  captivity. 

19  I  called  for  my  lovers,  but  they  deceived  me  :  my  priests 
and  mine  elders  gave  up  the  ghost  in  the  city,  while  they  sought 
their  meat  to  relieve  their  souls. 

20  Behold,  O  Lord  ;  for  I  am  in  distress :  my  bowels  are 
troubled  ;  mine  heart  is  turned  within  me  ;  for  I  have  grievous- 
ly rebelled:  abroad  the  sword  bereaveth,  at  home  there  is  as 
death. 

21  They  have  heard  that  I  sigh:  there  is  none  to  comfort 
me:  all  mine  enemies  have  heard  of  my  trouble;  they  are  glad 
that  thou  hast  done  it :  thou  wilt  bring  the  day  that  thou  hast 
called,  and  they  shall  be  like  unto  me. 

22  Let  all  their  wickedness  come  before  thee;  and  do  unto 
them,  as  thou  hast  done  unto  me  for  all  my  transgressions  :  for 
my  sighs  are  many,  and  my  heart  is  faint. 


JEREMIAH.  185 


JEREMIAH  ACKNOWLEDGES  THE  LORD  AS  HIS 
PORTION. 

The  prophet  in  iLis  prayer  sho^YS  us  the  benefit 
of  affliction,  and  in  the  chapter  in  which  it  is  con- 
tained seems  to  consider  his  own  personal  sorrow, 
and  sympathizes  deeply  with  others  under  similar 
circumstances  with  himself.  We  are  expressly  told 
by  the  j^rophct  not  only  to  lift  our  hands  but  our 
hearts  to  God;  not  to  come  in  formality,  but  after 
searching  our  w^a3's,  to  acknowledge  our  sin,  and 
that  God,  who  doeth  right  in  afflicting  the  children 
of  men,  will  hear  such  prayer.  In  the  words  of  the 
hymn  suggested  by  the  prayer  of  the  prophet,  Ave 
shall  find  it 

"  Sweet  to  look  inward  and  attend 
The  whispers  of  his  love; 
Sweet  to  look  upward  to  the  place 
Where  Jesus  pleads  above. 

"  Sweet  in  the  coniidence  of  faith 
To  trust  his  firm  decrees, 
Sweet  to  lie  passive  in  his  hand, 

And  know  no  will  but  his."  , 

Jeremiali's  Achnoiulcdgmcnt,  etc.,  as  recorded. — Lam.  iii. 

24  Tlio  Lord  is  my  portion,  saith  my  soul;  therefore  will  1 
hope  in  him. 

26  The  Lord  is  good  unto  them  that  wait  for  him,  to  the  soul 
that  seeketh  him. 


186  THE    TRAYEKS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

26  It  is  good  that  a  man  should  both  hope  and  quietly  wait 
for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord. 

27  It  is  good  for  a  man  that  he  bear  the  j'oke  in  his  youth. 

28  He  sittetli  alone  and   keepeth  silence,  because  he  hath 
borne  it  upon  him. 

29  He  putteth  his  mouth  in  the  dust;   if  so  be  there  may  be 
hope. 

30  He  giveth  his  cheek  to  him  that  smiteth  him :  he  is  filled 
full  with  reproach. 

40  Let  us  search  and  try  our  ways,  and  turn  again  to  the 
Lord. 

41  Let  us  lift  up  our  heart  with  our  hands  unto  God  in  the 
heavens. 

42  We  have  transgressed  and  have  rebelled:    thou  hast  not 
pardoned. 

43  Thou  hast  covered  with  anger,  and  persecuted  us:    thou 
hast  slain,  thou  hast  not  pitied. 

44  Thou  hast  covered  thyself  with  a  cloud,  that  our  prayer 
should  not  pass  through. 

45  Thou  hast  made  us  as  the  oftscouring  and  refuse  in  the 
midst  of  the  people. 

46  All  our  enemies  have  opened  their  mouths  against  us. 

47  Fear  and  a  snare  is  come  upon  us,  desolation  and  de- 
struction. 

48  Mine  eye  runneth  down  with  rivers  of  water  for  the  de- 
struction of  the  daughter  of  my  people. 

49  Mine  eye  trickleth  down,  and  ceaseth  not,  without  any 
intermission, 

50  Till  the  Lord  look  down,  and  behold  from  heaven. 

51  Mine  eye  affecteth  mine  heart  because  of  all  the  daugh- 
ters of  my  city. 

52  Mine  enemies  chased  me  sore,  like  a  bird,  without  cause. 
63  They  have  cut  off  my  life  in  the  dungeon,  and  cast  a  stone 

upon  me. 


EZEKIEL,  187 


54  Waters  flowed  over  mine  head;    then  I  said,  I  am  cut  off. 

55  I  called  upon  thy  name,  O  Lord,  out  of  the  low  dungeon. 

56  Thou  hast  heard  my  voice :   hide  not  thine  ear  at  my 
breathing,  at  my  cry. 

57  Thou  drewest  near  in  the  day  that  I  called  upon  thee 
thou  saidst,  Fear  not. 

58  O  Lord,  thou  hast  pleaded  the  causes  of  my  soul ;    thou 
hast  redeemed  my  life. 

59  O  Lord,  thou  hast  seen  my  wrong:  judge  thou  my  cause. 

60  Thou  hast  seen  all  their  vengeance  and  all  their  imagina- 
tions against  me. 

61  Thou  hast  heard  their  reproach,  O  Lord,  and  all  their 
imaginations  against  me; 

62  The  lips  of  those  that  rose  up  against  me,  and  their  de- 
vice against  me  all  the  day. 

63  Beliold  their  sitting  down,  and  their  rising  up  ;  I  am  their 
music. 

64  Render  unto  them  a  recompense,  O  Lord,  according  to 
the  work  of  their  hands. 

65  Give  them  sorrow  of  heart,  thy  curse  unto  them. 

66  Persecute  and  destroy  them  in  anger  from  under  the  heav- 
ens of  the  Lord. 


THE  INTERCESSION  OF  EZEKIEL. 

This  prophet  seems  to  have  been  raised  up  by 
God  especially,  by  his  predictions  and  prayers  to 
animate  and  -encourage  the  pious  remnant  of  his 
people.  There  is  something  in  his  vehement  ener- 
getic style,  which  strikes  us  with  awe  and  astonish- 
ment; we  feel  it  is  no  common  man  who  prays,  but 
a  servant  chosen  of  God,  and  bearing  a  high  and 


188  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

sacred  commission.  The  language  of  many  parts  of 
the  book  of  Ezeluel  is  ver}^  figurative.  The  scope 
of  his  predictions  was  very  similar  to  Jeremiah's. 
His  writings  contain  several  visions  representing  the 
calamities  of  the  Jews,  reproofs  of  their  wickedness, 
God's  anger  as  well  his  merc3^  In  the  verses  in  im- 
mediate connection  with  the  prophet's  address  to 
God  the  Lord  is  represented  as  leaving  his  "  mercy- 
seat"  to  denounce  judgment  on  the  people,  to  with- 
draw from  his  temple  at  Jerusalem,  and  give  them 
to  the  power  of  their  enemies.  He  then  gives  an 
order  to  "the  man  clothed  with  linen" — the  second 
person  of  the  trinity,  to  set  a  mark  on  the  forehead 
of  all,  that  sighed  continually,  or  that  protested 
against  sin.  This  alludes  to  a  custom  among  eastern 
nations,  whose  servants  were  marked  in  their  fore- 
heads These  the  Lord  tells  the  executioners  of  his 
vengeance  not  to  spare,  but  slay  without  mercy  all 
others.  The  prophet  seeing  the  great  destruction 
about  him  intercedes  for  his  people.  Left  alone  as 
it  were  in  the  court  of  the  temple ;  the  ten  tribes 
had  been  entirely  destroyed  or  dispersed,  a  very 
small  remnant  of  Judah  remained,  and  the  pro|)het's 
heart  seems  full  of  fear  lest  not  one  shoidd  be  left. 

The  Intercession  of  JEzchiel  as  refordcd. — Ezekiel  ix. 

8  And  it  came  to  pass,  wliile  they  were  slaying  tliem,  and  I 
was  left,  that  I  fell  upon  my  face,  and  cried,  and  said,  Ah  Lord 
God  !  wilt  thou  destroy  all  the  residue  of  Israel  in  thy  pouring 
out  of  thy  fury  upon  Jerusalem  ? 


EZEKIEL.  189 

The  LorcVs  Anstver. — Ezekiel  ix. 

9  Then  said  he  unto  ine,  The  iniquity  of  the  house  of  Israel 
and  Judah  is  exceeding  great,  and  the  land  is  full  of  blood,  and 
the  city  full  of  perverseness :  for  they  say.  The  Lord  hath  for- 
saken the  earth,  and  the  Lord  seeth  not. 

10  And  as  for  me  also,  mine  eye  shall  not  spare,  neither 
will  I  have  pity,  but  I  will  recompense  their  way  upon  their 
head. 

The  further  Intercession  of  Ezehiel. — Ezekiel  xi. 

While  the  j^rophet  was  delivering  the  message  of 
the  Lord  to  the  jjrinces,  one  of  them  was  cut  off  at 
Jerusalem  very  suddenlj^  by  death.  The  prophet 
seems  to  be  alarmed. 

Ezekiel  xi. 

13  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  I  prophesied,  that  Peletiah  the 
son  of  Benaiah  died.  Then  fell  I  down  upon  my  fiice,  and  cried 
with  a  loud  voice,  and  said.  Ah  Lord  God  !  wilt  thou  make  a 
full  end  of  the  remnant  of  Israel? 

The  LorcVs  Anstver. — Ezekiel  xi. 

14  Again  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  me,  saying, 

15  Son  of  man,  thy  brethren,  even  thy  brethren,  the  men  of 
thy  kindred,  and  all  the  house  of  Israel  wholly,  are  they  unto 
whom  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem  have  said.  Get  you  far  from 
the  Lord:  unto  us  is  this  land  given  in  possession. 

16  Therefore  say,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God;  Although  I 
have  cast  them  far  off  among  the  heathen,  and  although  I  have 
scattered  them  among  the  countries,  yet  will  I  be  to  them  as  a 
little  sanctuary  in  the  (Tountries  where  they  shall  come. 

17  Therefore  say,  Thus  saith  the  Lord  GoDj    I  will  even 


190  THE   PKAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE, 

gather  you  from  the  people,  and  nssemble  you  out  of  the  coun- 
tries where  ye  have  been  scattered,  and  I  will  give  you  the  land 
of  Israel. 

18  And  they  shall  come  thither,  and  they  shall  take  away  all 
the  detestable  things  thereof  and  all  the  abominations  thereof 
from  thence. 

19  And  I  will  give  them  one  heart,  and  I  will  put  a  new 
spirit  within  you  ;  and  I  will  take  the  stony  heart  out  of  their 
flesh,  and  will  give  them  an  heart  of  flesh: 

20  That  they  may  walk  in  my  statutes,  and  keep  mine  ordi- 
nances, and  do  them :  and  they  shall  be  my  people,  and  I  will 
be  their  God. 


EZEKIEL  COMPLAINS  THAT  THE  PEOPLE  DO  NOT 
UNDERSTAND. 

As  God  had  chosen  this  prophet  to  become  the 
vehicle  of  the  most  extraordinary  series  of  prophe- 
cies concerning  his  people,  he  also  teaches  him  to 
employ  figures  to  illustrate  his  meaning.  Some  of 
which  are  very  peculiar,  and  to  the  careless  reader 
no  doubt  as  incomprehensible  as  they  were  to  some 
of  those  to  whom  the  prophet  spoke.  It  will  be 
well  here  to  enumerate  some  of  the  most  striking 
figures  used  by  the  prophet ;  althongh  not  immedi- 
ately connected  with  this  prayer,  they  may  serve  to 
give  us  a  just  appreciation  of  the  prophet's  meaning. 
He  speaks  of  a  "  wheel,"  or  a  sphere  made  of  a 
wheel  in   the  middle  of  a  wheel ;  this  vision  was 


EZEKIEL.  191 

emblematic  of  Providence.  Of  a  "cloud"  out  of 
which  are  the  likenesses  of  four  living  creatures, 
with  attributes  denoting  wisdom,  strength,  swiftness, 
and  obedience,  they  move  "straight  forward;"  these 
are  the  ministers  of  Providence,  turning  not  to  the 
right  or  left,  directed  by  one  mind,  for  whither  "the 
spirit  went  they  went;"  the  "wheel"  had  four  faces 
looking  every  way,  moving  every  way,  and  connect- 
ed with  the  living  creatures — "  full  of  eyes,"  repre- 
senting the  omniscient  and  omnipresent  God.  The 
"height  of  the  wheels  was  dreadful."  "Such  is 
God's  providence — a  scheme  for  carrying  out  pur- 
poses high  as  heaven,  and  lasting  as  eternity.  God 
is  the  soul  of  providence."*  In  the  Lord's  answer 
to  this  prayer  the  prophet  is  told  to  make  his  lan- 
guage plainer,  and  drop  these  figures,  which  word 
we  shall  see  the  prophet  obeys. 

EzekieVs  Complaint,  dr.,  as  recorded. — Ezekiel  xx. 

49  Then  said  I,  Ah  Lord  God  !  they  say  of  me,  Doth  he  not 
speak  parables  1  * 

The  Lord''s  Answer. — Ezekiel  xxi. 

1  And  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  me,  saying, 

2  Son  of  man,  set  thy  face  toward  Jerusalem,  and  drop  thy 
word  toward  the  holy  places,  and  prophecy  against  the  land  of 
Israel, 

3  And  say  to  the  land  of  Israel,  Thus  saith  the  Lokd;  Be- 
hold, I  am  against  thee,  and  will  draw  forth  my  sword  out  of 


Read. 


192  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

his  slieatl),  and  will  cut  off  from  thee  the  righteous  and  the 
wicked. 

4  Seeing  then  that  I  will  cut  off  from  (hee  the  righteous  and 
the  wicked,  therefore  shall  my  sword  go  forth  out  of  his  sheath 
against  all  flesh  from  the  south  to  the  north : 

5  That  all  flesh  may  know  that  I  the  Lord  have  drawn  forth 
my  sword  out  of  his  sheath:  it  shall  not  return  any  more. 

6  Sigh  therefore,  thou  son  of  man,  with  the  breaking  of  thy 
loins;  and  with  bitterness  sigh  before  their  eyes. 

7  And  it  shall  be,  when  they  say  unto  thee,  Wherefore  sigh- 
est  thou?  that  thou  shalt  answer.  For  the  tidings;  because  it 
cometh :  and  every  heart  shall  melt,  and  all  hands  shall  be 
feeble,  and  every  spirit  shall  faint,  and  all  knees  shall  be  weak 
as  water :  behold,  it  cometh,  and  shall  be  brought  to  pass,  saith 
the  Lord  God. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  DANIEL  AND  HIS  COMPANIONS  THAT 
THE  LORD  WOULD  INTERPRET  NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S 
DREAM. 

Nebucliadnezzar,  king  of  Babj-lon,  had  taken 
away  Daniel  and  his  friends,  and  in  the  second  year 
of  his  reign  had  the  remarkable  dream,  the  subject 
of  Daniel's  prayer.  The  king's  heart  was  troubled, 
for  "  a  vision  of  the  night  had  left  a  weight  upon 
his  waking  thoughts;"  it  was  from  the  Lord,  and  so 
ordered  as  to  bring  Daniel  into  notice — to  make 
known  his  glory  as  Israel's  God,  and  the  God  of  the 
whole  earth.  This  vision  consisted  of  a  description 
of  four  monarchies  which  would  continue  to  the  end 


DANIEL.  198 

of  the  world,  and  one  of  them  till  the  kingxloras  of 
the  world  should  become  the  kingdoms  of  "  his  son," 
whose  right  it  is  to  reign  in  the  armies  of  heaven 
and  among  the  children  of  men.  Man's  feeble  know- 
ledge  could  not  satisfy  the  king,  the  magician's  art 
had  failed,  and  the  monarch's  heart  was  restless — 
his  harsh  decree  is  issued.  There  is  a  never  failing 
source  of  knowledge,  Daniel  has  often  been  at 
the  mercy-seat ;  and  though,  O  man !  in  thy  own 
strength  frail  and  erring,  in  praj^er — 

"  Thy  momentary  breath  can  still  the  raging  waters, 
Thy  hand  can  touch  a  lever  that  may  move  the  world  ; 
0  Merciful,  we  strike  eternal  covenant  with  thee." 

For  man  may  take  for  his  ally  the  "  King  who 
ruleth  kings."  Daniel  seeks  his  companions  to  call 
with  them  upon  the  Almighty.  Can  we  not  imagine 
this  praj^er-meeting  ?  Are  not  two  or  three  met 
here  for  the  purjoose  of  communing  with  their 
Maker  ?  Here  we  have  high  authority  for  perseve- 
ring in  the  practice  of  meeting  for  social  prayer. 
God  has  promised  to  be  in  the  midst  of  the  little 
company,  to  reveal  to  his  children  knowledge  the 
world  knows  not  of.  Daniel,  high  in  power  in 
Nebuchadnezzar's  court,  surrounded  by  all  the 
temptations  that  wealth  and  royalty  could  give,  was 
humble-minded  and  spiritual,  praj^erful  and  devoted 
to  the  end  of  life. 


194  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 


The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Daniel  ii. 

16  Then  Daniel  went  in,  and  desired  of  the  king  that  he 
would  give  him  time,  and  that  he  would  show  the  king  the  in- 
terpretation. 

17  Then  Daniel  went  to  his  house,  and  made  the  thing 
known  to  Hananiah,  Mishael,  and  Azariah,  his  companions : 

18  That  they  would  desire  mercies  of  the  God  of  heaven  con- 
cerning this  secret;  that  Daniel  and  his  fellows  should  not  per- 
ish with  the  rest  of  the  wise  men  of  Babylon. 

The  Lordh  Answer. — Daniel  ii. 

19  Then  was  the  secret  revealed  unto  Daniel  in  a  night  vis- 
ion.    Then  Daniel  blessed  the  God  of  heaven. 

Daniel  returns  Thanks. — Daniel  ii. 

20  Daniel  answered  and  said,  Blessed  be  the  name  of  God 
for  ever  and  ever :  for  wisdom  and  might  are  hia: 

2 1  And  he  changeth  the  times  and  the  seasons :  he  removeth 
kings,  and  setteth  up  kings :  he  giveth  wisdom  unto  the  wise, 
and  knowledge  to  them  that  know  understanding: 

22  He  revealeth  the  deep  and  secret  things:  he  knoweth 
what  is  in  the  darkness,  and  the  light  dwellelh  with  him. 

23  I  thank  thee,  and  praise  thee,  O  thou  God  of  my  fathers, 
who  hast  given  me  wisdom  and  might,  and  hast  made  known 
unto  me  now  what  we  desired  of  thee :  for  thou  hast  now  made 
known  unto  us  the  kinsf's  matter. 


DANIEL.  195 


NEBUCHADEZZAR  CONVICTED  BLESSES  GOD. 

Ir\  the  prayers  of  tliis  monsrcli  we  have  a  striking 
instance  of  the  difference  of  conviction  and  con- 
version. In  this  petition  we  see  the  king's  heart 
touched  with  the  power  of  truth.  He  had  beheld 
the  firm  faith,  "that  vital  principle,"  making  his 
servants,  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abednego,  calm 
under  the  most  trying  circumstances,  serving  a  God 
of  power  and  might,  who  had  delivered  them  un- 
harmed from  the  devouring  flame.  Captives,  and 
far  from  the  land  of  God  and  his  ordinances,  in  the 
hands  of  a  proud  monarch,  these  three  children  of 
God  had  dared  to  be  "singular;"  they  obeyed  the 
Lord  of  heaven  and  earth  rather  than  man,  they  felt 
not  their  bonds,  their  spirits  knew  no  yoke,  and 
fearless  they  stood  before  the  king. 

"  He  is  a  freeman  whom  the  truth  makes  free, 
And  all  are  slaves  beside." 

They  felt  this,  and  "  strong  in  trust,  endured  the 
fire."  Terrified  as  well  as  astonished  at  the  miracle 
he  witnessed,  the  king  is  convinced  there  is  a  power 
stronger  than  his  own,  a  will  mightier  than  man's, 
and  for  a  time  retains  these  impressions.  His  prayer 
is  impulsive ;  there  is  no  humbling  of  that  proud 
heart,  no  change  in  it ;  there  is  an  acknowledgment 
of  God's  power,  but  there  is  yet  no  passing  from 


196  THE   PEAYEES   OF   THE   BIBLE, 

deatli  unto  life — no  confession  of  sin.  God  has  trials 
sore  and  deep  before  that  proud  will  becomes  sub- 
dued. 

I^ehuchadnezzar' s  Prayer. — Daniel  iii. 

28  Then  Nebuchadnezzar  spake,  and  said,  Blessed  be  the  God 
of  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abed-nego,  who  hatli  sent  his  an- 
gel, and  delivered  his  servants  that  trusted  in  him,  and  have 
changed  the  king's  word,  and  yielded  their  bodies,  that  they 
might  not  serve  nor  worship  any  god,  except  their  own  God. 

29  Therefore  I  make  a  decree,  That  every  people,  nation, 
and  language,  which  speak  anything  amiss  against  the  God  of 
Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abed-nego,  shall  be  cut  in  pieces,  and 
their  houses  shall  be  made  a  dunghill :  because  there  is  no  other 
God  that  can  deliver  after  this  sort. 


THE  THANKSGIVING  OF  NEBUCHADNEZZAR. 

One  short  year  has  rolled  away,  and  with  its 
hurried  flight  had  borne  the  convictions  of  the  mon- 
arch's heart.  We  behold  him  as  he  paces  his  lofty 
terrace  overlooking  the  splendid  city,  and  we  hear 
from  Holy  Writ  his  musings  as  he  contemplates  the 
splendor  and  magnificence  around  him :  "Is  not  this 
great  Babylon  that  I  have  built?" — these  palaces 
with  all  their  beaut}'-,  are  they  not  mine?  How 
great  is  my  power!  and  am  I  not  a  king?  In  the 
few  fleeting  months  that  have  passed  he  has  forgot- 
ten the  God  of  Shadrach,  Meshach,  and  Abednego, 


DANIEL.  197 

"  the  Lord  of  lords  and  King  of  kings."  Self  is  ex- 
alted, self  is  the  object  of  his  homage.  Daniel  has 
been  to  him  a  faithful  friend,  but  the  wise  counsels 
of  "the  projDhet  of  God  "  have  been  disregarded  by 
the  king.  God  had  listened  to  Daniel's  prayers,  had 
met  him  at  the  mercy-seat,  and  in  his  own  way 
would  3-et  humble  the  proud  heart  of  Nebuchad- 
nezzar. Deep  and  bitter  were  his  trials,  but  they 
brought  him  to  his  God.  They  gave  him  a  know- 
ledge that  opened  his  eyes  to  see  his  own  strength 
weakness ;  his  pride  was  humbled,  and  a  spirit  of 
deep  humility  pervades  his  thanksgiving. 

DanieVs  Thanksgiving. — Daniel  iv. 

29  At  the  end  of  twelve  months  he  walked  in  the  palace  of 
the  kingdom  of  Babylon. 

30  The  king  spake,  and  said,  Is  not  this  great  Babylon,  that 
I  have  built  for  the  house  of  the  kingdom  by  the  might  of  my 
power,  and  for  the  honor  of  my  majesty  ? 

31  While  the  word  was  in  the  king's  mouth,  there  fell  a  voice 
from  heaven,  saying,  O  king  Nebuchadnezzar,  to  thee  it  is 
spoken,  The  kingdom  is  departed  from  thee. 

32  And  they  sliall  drive  thee  from  men,  and  thy  dwelling 
shall  be  with  the  beasts  of  the  field  :  they  shall  make  thee  to 
eat  grass  as  oxen,  and  i-even  times  shall  pass  over  thee,  until 
thou  knov;  that  the  most  High  ruleth  in  the  kingdom  of  men, 
and  giveth  it  to  whomsoever  he  will. 

33  The  same  hour  was  the  thing  fulfilled  upon  Nebuchad- 
nezzar: and  he  was  driven  from  men,  and  did  eat  grass  as  oxen, 
and  his  body  was  wet  with  the  dew  of  heaven,  till  his  hairs  were 
grown  like  eagles'  feathers,  and  his  nails  like  birds'  claws. 

34  And  at  the  end  of  the  days  I  Nebuchadnezzar  lifted  up 


198  THE   PRAYERS  OP  THE  BIBLE. 

mine  eyes  unto  heaven,  and  mine  understanding  returned  unto 
me,  and  I  blessed  the  most  High,  and  I  praised  and  honored 
him  that  liveth  for  ever,  whose  dominion  is  an  everlasting 
dominion,  and  his  kingdom  is  from  generation  to  generation : 

35  And  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  are  reputed  as  nothing : 
and  he  doeth  according  to  his  will  in  the  army  of  heaven,  and 
among  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth ;  and  none  can  stay  his  hand, 
or  say  unto  him,  Wiiat  doest  thou  ? 

36  At  the  same  time  my  reason  returned  unto  me ;  and  for 
the  glory  of  my  kingdom,  mine  honor  and  brightness  returned 
unto  me ;  and  my  counselors  and  my  lords  sought  unto  me  ; 
and  I  was  established  in  my  kingdom,  and  excellent  majesty  was 
added  unto  me. 

37  Now  I  Nebuchadnezzar  praise  and  extol  and  honor  the 
King  of  heaven,  all  whose  works  are  truth,  and  his  ways  judg- 
ment; and  those  that  walk  in  pride  he  is  able  to  abase. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  DANIEL  FOR  THE  RESTORATION  OF 
JERUSALEM. 

It  is  said  of  Daniel  that  tliree  times  a  day  lie 
entered  liis  closet  to  commune  with  God ;  though 
surrounded  with  cares  and  anxieties,  as  chief  presi- 
dent of  the  kingdom,  he  sought  relief  from  them  all 
where  only  relief  could  come,  he  sought  that  wis- 
dom which  stamped  his  career  as  a  man  of  God  and 
a  ruler.  In  the  chapter  j^receding  this  particular 
prayer,  we  are  told  of  these  stated  devotions,  and 
also  that  upon  his  knees,  with  his  windows  open 
toward  Jerusalem,  he  sought  God's  favor.     With 


DANIEL.  199 

every  token  of  sorrow,  humiliation,  and  love,  Daniel 
has  come  to  pray  at  this  time  for  God's  promised 
mercj  to  his  afllicted  people.  There  is  deep  confes- 
sion of  his  own  sin  and  the  sin  of  his  people,  that 
the  punishment  is  justly  deserved,  but  that  even  the 
most  guilty  might  hope  in  God;  he  alludes  to  the 
fact,  that  many,  very  many  of  the  Jews  had  failed 
to  call  upon  the  Most  High,  or  sought  to  be  turned 
from  their  iniquities,  but  his  desire  that  God  would 
restore  his  temple,  and  cause  his  face  to  shine  upon 
his  sanctuary,  was  earnest  and  heartfelt.  While  he 
pleads  with  God  his  prayer  is  answered,  for  we  are 
told  that  a  "  holy  visitant,"  one  sent  from  God,  but 
in  the  form  of  a  man,  comes  to  instruct  Daniel  con- 
cerning the  Lord's  designs,  with  regard  to  the  sub- 
ject of  his  prayer.  He  has  repeated  assurances  of 
the  Lord's  favor  and  is  called  by  the  angel  the  "  be- 
loved." In  the  angel's  answer  to  Daniel  we  have 
one  of  the  most  striking  and  undeniable  prophecies 
of  the  coming  and  salvation  of  Christ  which  is  con- 
tained in  the  Old  Testament ;  this  is  one  of  the  rea- 
sons why  the  Jews  refused  to  recognize  Daniel  as  a 
true  prophet — the  "  seventy  weeks  "  are  four  hun- 
dred and  ninety  years ;  and  to  this  day  the  rabbini- 
cal teachers  withhold  it  from  their  people. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Daniel  ix. 

3  And  I  set  ray  face  unto  the  Lord  God,  to  seek  by  prayer 
and  supplications,  with  fasting,  and  sackcloth,  and  ashes: 

4  And  I  prayed  unto  the  Lord  my  God,  and  made  my  confes- 


200  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

sion,  and  said,  O  Lord,  the  great  and  dreadful  God,  keeping  the 
covenant  and  mercy  to  thom  that  love  him,  and  to  them  that 
keep  his  commandments; 

5  VVe  have  sinned,  and  have  committed  iniquity,  and  have 
done  wickedly,  and  have  rebelled,  even  by  departing  from  thy 
precepts  and  from  thy  judgments : 

6  Neither  have  we  hearkened  unto  thy  servants  the  prophets, 
which  spake  in  thy  name  to  our  kings,  our  princes,  and  our  fa- 
thers, and  to  all  the  people  of  the  land. 

7  O  Lord,  righteousness  belongeth  unto  thee,  but  unto  us 
confusion  of  faces,  as  at  this  day ;  to  the  men  of  Judah,  and  to 
the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  and  unto  all  Israel,  that  are  near, 
and  that  are  iiiv  off,  through  all  the  countries  whither  thou  hast 
driven  them,  because  of  their  trespass  that  they  have  trespassed 
against  thee. 

8  O  Lord,  to  us  belongeth  confusion  of  face,  to  our  kings,  to 
our  princes,  and  to  our  fathers,  because  we  have  sinned  against 
thee. 

9  To  the  Lord  our  God  belong  mercies  and  forgivenesses, 
though  we  have  rebelled  ap-ainst  him; 

10  Neither  have  we  obeyed  the  voice  of  the  Lord  our  God, 
to  walk  in  his  laws,  which  he  set  before  us  by  his  servants  the 
prophets. 

1 1  Yea,  all  Lsrael  have  transgressed  thy  law,  even  by  depart- 
ing, that  they  might  not  obey  thy  voice;  therefore  the  curse  is 
poured  upon  us,  and  the  oath  that  is  written  in  the  law  of 
Moses  the  servant  of  God,  because  we  have  sinned  against 
him. 

12  And  he  hath  contirmed  his  words,  which  he  spake  against 
us,  and  against  our  judges  that  judged  us,  by  bringing  upon  us 
a  great  evil :  for  under  the  whole  heaven  hath  not  been  done  as 
hath  been  done  upon  JerusiUem. 

13  As  it  is  written  in  the  law  of  Moses,  all  this  evil  is  come 
Upon  us :   yet  made  we  not  our  prayer  before  the  Lokd  our 


DANIEL.  201 

God,  that  we  might  turn  from  our  iniquities,  and  understand  thy 
truth. 

14  Therefore  hath  the  Lord  watched  upon  the  evil,  and 
brought  it  upon  us :  for  the  Lord  our  God  is  righteous  in  all 
his  works  which  he  doeth :  for  we  obeyed  not  his  voice, 

15  And  now,  O  Lord  our  God,  that  hast  brought  thy  people 
forth  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt  with  a  mighty  hand,  and  hast 
gotten  thee  renown,  as  at  this  day ;  we  have  sinned,  we  have 
done  wickedly. 

16  O  Lord,  according  to  all  thy  righteousness,  I  beseech  thee, 
let  thine  anger  and  thy  fury  be  turned  away  from  thy  city  Jeru- 
salem, thy  holy  mountain :  because  for  our  sins,  and  for  the 
iniquities  of  our  fathers,  Jerusalem  and  thy  people  are  become 
a  reproach  to  all  that  are  about  us. 

17  Now  therefore,  O  our  God,  hear  the  prayer  of  thy  ser- 
vant, and  his  supplications,  and  cause  thy  face  to  shine  upon 
thy  sanctuary  that  is  desolate,  for  the  Lord's  sake. 

18  O  my  God,  incline  thine  ear,  and  hear;  open  thine  eyes, 
and  behold  our  desolations,  and  the  city  which  is  called  by  thy 
name  :  "for  we  do  not  present  our  supplications  before  thee  for 
our  righteousnesses,  but  for  thy  great  mercies. 

19  O  Lord,  hear  ;  O  Lord,  forgive;  O  Lord,  hearken  and  do; 
defer  not,  for  thine  own  sake,  O  my  God :  for  thy  city  and  thy 
people  are  called  by  thy  name. 


The  Answer. — Daniel  ix. 

20  And  whiles  I  was  speaking,  and  praying,  and  confessing 
my  sin  and  the  sin  of  my  people  Israel,  and  presenting  my  sup- 
plication before  the  Lord  my  God  for  the  holy  mountain  of  my 
God; 

21  Yea,  whiles  I  was  speaking  in  prayer,  even  the  man  Ga- 
briel, whom  I  had  seen  in  the  vision  at  the  beginning,  being 


202  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

caused  to  fly  swiftly,  touched  me  about  the  time  of  the  evening 
oblation. 

22  And  he  informed  me,  and  talked  with  me,  and  said,  O 
Daniel,  I  am  now  come  forth  to  give  thee  skill  and  understand- 
ing. 

23  At  the  beginning  of  thy  supplications  the  commandment 
came  forth,  and  I  am  come  to  show  thee;  for  thou  art  greatly 
beloved:  therefore  understand  the  matter,  and  consider  the 
vision. 

24  Seventy  weeks  are  determined  upon  thy  people  and  upon 
thy  holy  city,  to  finish  the  transgression,  and  to  make  an  end 
of  sins,  and  to  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity,  and  to  bring  in 
everlasting  righteousness,  and  to  seal  up  the  vision  and  pro- 
phecy, and  to  anoint  the  most  Holy. 

25  Know  therefore  and  understand,  that  from  the  going  forth 
of  the  commandment  to  restore  and  to  build  Jerusalem  unto 
the  Messiah  the  Prince  shall  be  seven  weeks,  and  threescore 
and  two  weeks:  the  street  shall  be  built  again,  and  the  wall, 
even  in  troublous  times. 

26  And  afier  threesjore  and  two  weeks  shall  Messiah  be  cut 
off,  but  not  for  himself:  and  the  people  of  the  prince  that  shall 
come  shall  destroy  the  city  and  the  sanctuary;  and  the  end 
thereof  shall  be  with  a  flood,  and  unto  the  end  of  the  war  deso- 
lations are  determined. 

27  And  he  shall  confirm  the  covenant  with  many  for  one 
week :  and  in  the  midst  of  the  week  he  shall  cause  the  sacrifice 
and  the  oblation  to  cease,  and  for  the  overspreading  of  abomi- 
nations he  shall  make  it  desolate,  even  until  the  consummation, 
and  that  determined  shall  be  poured  upon  the  desolate. 


JOEL.  203 


THE  PROPHET  JOEL'S  PRAYER  IN  TIME  OF  FAMINE. 

In  most  beautiful  and  pathetic  strains  this  prophet 
represents  all  nature  joining  in  a  universal  lament, 
even  the  beast  of  the  field,  the  "lowing  herd,"  and 
grazing  sheejD  in  the  valleys,  are  dying  and  falling 
thickly  around  for  want  of  sustenance.  Verily  it  is 
a  time  to  call  upon  him  who  bringeth  summer  and 
winter,  seed  time  and  harvest,  in  his  own  good  time, 
and  the  prophet  calls  upon  high  and  low,  the  rich 
and  poor,  to  unite  with  him  in  prayer  to  the  Al- 
mighty, for  in  his  own  poetic  language,  "  The  vine 
is  dried  up,  and  the  fig-tree  languisheth ;  the  pome- 
granate tree,  the  palm  tree,  also  are  withered;  be- 
cause joy  is  withered  away  from  the  sons  of  men." 
He  also  calls  upon  the  ministers  who  kept  the 
watches  at  the  temple,  to  gather  their  people  togeth- 
er on  this  distressing  occasion,  to  unite  in  his  cry  to 
God,  to  let  it  be  loud  and  universal  from  saint  and 
sinner,  to  lament  like  a  virgin  girded  with  sack- 
cloth for  the  husband  of  her  youth,  a  striking  figure 
of  the  deepest  sorrow  of  eaf  th. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Joel  i. 

19  O  LcyiD,  to  thee  will  I  cry;  for  the  fire  hath  devoured  the 
pastures  of  the  wilderness,  and  the  flame  hath  burned  all  the 
trees  of  the  field. 

20  The  beasts  of  the  field  cry  also  unto  thee :  for  the  rivers 
of  waters  are  dried  up,  and  the  fire  hath  devoured  the  pastures 
of  the  wilderness. 


204:  THE   PKAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 


Tkd  Lord's  Ansioer. — Joel  ii. 

12  Therefore  also  now,  saitli  the  Lord,  turn  ye  even  to  me 
with  all  your  heart,  and  with  fasting,  and  with  weeping,  and  with 
mourning : 

13  And  rend  your  heart,  and  not  your  garments,  and  turn 
unto  the  Lord  your  God:  for  he  is  gracious  and  merciful,  slow 
to  anger,  and  of  great  kindness,  and  repenteth  him  of  the  evil. 


PRAYERS  OF  AMOS  THAT  GOD  WOULD  AVERT  THE 
JUDGMENTS  OF  THE  FIRE  AND  GRASSHOPPERS. 

Amos  was  a  simple  herdsman ;  his  words  "  I  am 
no  prophet  or  son  of  a  prophet,"  seem  to  distinguish 
him  from  those  who  were  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Samuel.  The  Lord  had  shown  him  in  a  vision  the 
judgments  he  would  bring  ^pon  Israel.  His  first 
prayer  relates  to  the  grasshoppers  which  should  con- 
sume the  beauty  and  verdure  of  the  land,  and  the 
next  to  a  desolating  fire.  Both  of  these  petitions 
are  heard  and  answered.  They  encourage  us  to. 
regard  and  mention  in  our  own  prayers  the  evils 
about  us.  God's  arm  is  not  shortened  that  it  can- 
not save,  and  though  our  own  petitions  ^lay  seem 
but  a  feeble  instrument  in  removing  great  calamity, 
3'et  we  know  that  "  prayer  is  the  slender  nerve  that 
moveth  the  muscles  of  Omnipotence,"  and  it  is 
grounded  on  the  promise  of  the  Eternal  Jehovah." 


JONAH.  205 


The  Prayers  of  Amos  as  recorded. — Amos  vii. 

2  And  it  came  to  pass,  that  when  tliey  had  made  an  end  of 
eating  the  grass  of  the  hxnd,  then  I  said,  O  Lord  God,  forgive, 
I  beseech  thee :  by  whom  shall  Jacob  arise?  for  he  is  small. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Amos  vii. 

3  The  Lord  repented  for  this:  It  shall  not  be,  saith  the 
Lord. 

Second  Prayer  of  Amos. 

4  Thus  hath  the  Lord  God  showed  unto  me :  and,  behold, 
the  Lord  God  called  to  contend  by  fire,  and  it  devoured  the 
great  deep,  and  did  eat  up  a  part. 

5  Then  said  I,  O  Lord  God,  cease,  I  beseech  thee  :  by  whom 
shall  Jacob  arise?  for  he  is  small. 

The  Ansiuer. 

6  The  Lord  repented  for  this :  This  also  shall  not  be,  saith 
the  Lord  God. 


PRAYER  OF  THE  MARINERS  IN  THE  STORM. 

The  whole  of  tlie  narrative  of  tlie  ancient  prophet 
Jonah  is  full  of  interest,  and  suggestive  of  salutary 
reflection;  the  prayers  are  peculiarly  so.  In  his 
character  of  a  prophet  he  had  received  directions 

10 


206  THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

from  God  to  go  to  Nineveh,  a  city  full  of  idolatry 
and  wickedness,  to  announce  its  ruin.  Jonah,  fear- 
ful of  rebuke  and  insult,  and,  perhaps,  of  death, 
resolved  to  disobey  the  command  of  Grod,  and  em- 
barked in  a  ship  bound  for  Tarshish.  But  there 
was  an  eye  that  "never  slumbers  or  sleeps,"  and 
that  eye  saw  his  transgression.  He  "that  bringeth 
the  wind  out  of  his  treasures,"  that  holdeth  the 
waters  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand,  is  Lord  of  the 
elements,  and  caused  them  to  do  his  pleasure.  The 
sky,  so  serene  when  the  prophet  embarked,  is  sud- 
denly overcast,  and  the  storm  rages  about  the  frail 
vessel  "  like  a  giant  in  his  fury."  The  crew  of  this 
bark  were  idolaters,  each  man  apparently  having  a 
different  deity,  for  it  is  said  in  a  former  verse,  "  The 
mariners  were  afraid  and  cried  every  man  unto  his 
god.  They  had  probably  been  idolators  from  child- 
hood, and  in  this  moment  of  peril,  each  called  upon 
the  being  he  had  been  taught  to  worship.  Their 
case  is  desperate,  and  they  seek  Jonah,  who,  like 
too  many  inactive  Christians,  lay  quietly  sleeping. 
From  the  shipmaster  he  receives  a  rebuke  for  his 
apathy  in  this  time  of  danger,  and  it  must  have 
been  most  cutting  and  severe  to  a  servant  of  Jeho- 
vah, that  an  idolater  should  rouse  and  urge  him  to 
duty.  Jonah,  conscious  of  his  guilt,  and  aware  that 
the  storm  is  the  wrath  of  an  angry  God,  confesses 
his  nation,  his  profession,  and  his  sin.  In  vain  do 
the  hardy  crew,  overcome   no  doubt  by  Jonah's 


JONAH.  207 

words,  use  every  exertion  to  reach  the  shore.  It  is 
at  this  moment  that  the  mariners'  prayer  ascends  to 
the  God  of  Jonah.  While  the  waves  are  beating 
and  dashing  angrily  around  them,  they  cast  the 
prophet,  according  to  his  own  request,  into  the 
sea,  and  the  waves  are  calm,  the  waters  cease  their 
raging.  The  mariners  perceiving  the  power  of  the 
Almighty,  cast  aside  their  gods,  and  worship  the 
God  of  heaven  and  earth. 

The  Mariners'  Prayer  as  recorded. — Jonah  i. 

14  Wherefore  they  cried  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  We  be- 
seech thee,  O  Lord,  we  beseech  thee,  let  us  not  perish  for  this 
man's  life,  and  lay  not  upon  us  innocent  blood :  for  thou,  O 
Lord,  hast  done  as  it  pleased  thee. 

The  Answer. — Jonah  i. 

15  So  they  took  up  Jonah,  and  cast  him  forth  into  the  sea: 
and  the  sea  ceased  from  her  raging. 

16  Then  the  men  feared  the  Lord  exceedingly,  and  offered  a 
sacrifice  unto  the  Lord,  and  made  vows. 

17  Now  the  Lord  had  prepared  a  great  fish  to  swallow  up 
Jonah.  And  Jonah  was  in  the  belly  of  the  fish  three  days  and 
three  nights. 


208  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  JONAH  FROM  THE  MIDST  OF  THE 

SEA. 

"We  must  not  regard,  as  some  have  done,  the 
present  position  of  Jonah  in  a  figurative  sense,  for 
we  have  full  proof  of  its  reality  in  the  words  of  our 
blessed  Lord  himself,  who  repeatedly  speaks  of  it  in 
terms  too  plain  to  be  mistaken  by  us.  God,  in  judg- 
ment for  disobedience,  had  mercy  upon  him,  and  even 
from  the  belly  of  the  fish  heard  and  answered  his 
prayer.  The  prophet  was  placed  in  a  position  where 
he  felt  his  sin,  and  this  led  him  to  prayer ;  but  where 
is  the  solitude  that  God  cannot  fill  ?  and  where  is 
the  spot  on  earth  or  in  the  seas  where  his  eye  does 
not  rest,  and  from  which  the  voice  of  prayer  may 
not  ascend  ?  In  this  remarkable  event  in  the  life 
of  the  prophet  Jonah,  we  may  see  a  type  of  Christ's 
death,  burial,  and  resurrection.  His  prayer  is  earn- 
est, and  the  state  of  his  mind  rendered  his  position, 
as  he  says,  like  the  "belly  of  hell,"  or  like  the  state 
of  the  wicked  in  death,  from  whose  torment  there  is 
no  escape.  So  it  seemed,  no  doubt,  to  the  prophet, 
there  was  no  ray  of  light,  except  as  the  love  of  God 
in  his  heart  lit  up  his  prison-house,  and  from  that 
dark  abode  of  the  praying  prophet, 

"  Pure  thoughts  were  borne, 
Like  fumes  of  eacred  incense  o'er  the  clouds, 
And  wafted  thence  on  angels'  wings  through  ways 
Of  light  to  the  bright  Source  of  all," 


JOXAH.  209 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Jonali  ii. 

1  Then  Jonah  prayed  unto  the  Lord  his  God  out  of  the  fish's 
belly, 

2  And  said,  I  cried  by  reason  of  mine  affliction  unto  the  Lord, 
and  he  heard  me ;  out  of  the  belly  of  hell  cried  I,  and  thou 
heardest  my  voice. 

3  For  thou  hadst  cast  me  into  the  deep,  in  the  midst  of  the 
seas;  and  the  floods  compassed  me  about:  all  thy  billows  and 
thy  waves  passed  over  me. 

4  Then  I  said,  I  am  cast  out  of  thy  sight ;  yet  I  will  look 
again  toward  thy  holy  temple. 

5  The  waters  compassed  me  about,  even  to  the  soul :  the 
depth  closed  me  round  about,  the  weeds  were  wrapped  about 
my  head. 

6  I  went  down  to  the  bottoms  of  the  mountains;  the  earth 
with  her  bars  was  about  me  for  ever:  yet  hast  thou  brought  up 
my  life  from  corruption,  O  Lord  my  God. 

7  When  my  soul  fainted  within  me  I  remembered  the  Lord  : 
and  my  prayer  came  in  unto  thee,  into  thine  holy  temple. 

8  They  that  observe  lying  vanities  forsake  their  own  mercy. 

9  But  I  will  sacrifice  unto  thee  with  the  voice  of  thanksgiv- 
ing ;  I  will  pay  that  that  I  have  vowed.  Salvation  is  of  the 
Lord. 

The  Lord''s  Answer. — Jonali  ii. 

10  And  the  Lord  spake  unto  the  fish,  and  it  vomited  out 
Jonah  upon  the  dry  land. 


210  THE    PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 


JONAH  PRAYS  THAT  GOD  WILL  TAKE  HIS  LIFE. 

We  sliould  expect  to  iSnd  tlie  prophet  after  such, 
a  merciful  preservation  humble  and  submissive,  but 
such  was  not  the  case.  In  obedience  to  the  will  of 
God,  after  his  deliverance  froni  the  deep,  Jonah 
went  to  the  city  of  Nineveh;  the  burden  of  his 
prophecy  to  them  was  their  utter  destruction,  unless 
thej  repented  and  turned  to  the  Lord.  But  the 
ears  of  the  Ninevites  were  opened,  and  they  listened 
eagerly  to  the  prophet's  words.  The  fame  of  the 
works  God  had  wrought  amongst  the  Jews  had 
reached  them,  and  they  heard  Jonah  with  eagerness, 
for  we  are  told  that  from  the  king  to  his  lowest 
subject  there  was  fasting  and  prayer  to  God,  and 
"turning  from  every  evil  way,"  Ought  not  the 
success  of  his  mission  to  inspire  Jonah  with  joy  and 
gratitude  ?  Instead  of  this  his  heart  is  ruffled,  and 
he  is  angry  at  his  success.  It  will  be  remembered 
that  the  Israelites  held  an  unfounded  prejudice  to- 
ward the  Gentiles,  and  the  prophet  no  doubt,  in  his 
own  mind,  encouraged  this  feeling ;  he  might  also, 
in  the  language  of  another,  "  have  had  a  mistaken 
zeal  for  the  honor  of  God,  and  feared  that  as  he  was 
sent  to  predict  destruction,  it  might  cast  an  imputa- 
tion on  the  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged."  "We 
^  find  him  angry  and  rebellious,  and  calling  upon 


JONAH.  211 

God  in  this  frame  of  mind.  He  seems  to  hasten 
away  from  the  city  lest  he  should  witness  the  turn- 
ing of  the  people,  and  retiring  to  a  booth  or  tent 
he  had  raised,  waited  there  till  he  should  see  what 
became  eventually  of  the  city.  The  winds  in  those 
hot  countries  are  often  very  suffocating,  as  they 
sweep  over  the  deserts,  and  come  laden  with  its 
sand  and  heat,  and  this,  with  the  fretted,  impatient 
spirit, the  prophet  had  nourished  in  his  heart,  made 
him  angry  and  despairing. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Jonah  iv. 

1  But  it  displeased  Jonah  exceedingly,  and  he  was  very  an- 
gry. 

2  And  he  prayed  unto  the  Lord,  and  said,  I  pray  thee,  O 
Lord,  was  not  this  my  saying,  when  I  was  yet  in  my  country  1 
Therefore  I  fled  before  unto  Tarshish :  for  I  knew  that  thou  art 
a  gracious  God,  and  merciful,  slow  to  anger,  and  of  great  kind- 
ness, and  repentest  thee  of  the  evil. 

3  Therefore  now,  O  Lord,  take,  I  beseech  thee,  my  life  from 
me  :  for  it  is  better  for  me  to  die  than  to  live. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Jenah  iv. 

4  Then  said  the  Lord,  Doest  thou  well  to  be  angry  ? 


212  THE   PEAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 


PRAYER   OF  THE  CHURCH   COMPLAINING   OF   SMALL 
NUMBERS,  AND  OF  THE  GENERAL  CORRUPTION. 

The  prophet  Micah  was  of  the  kingdom  of  Judah, 
and  cotemporary  "with  Isaiah  and  Hosea. 

"Micah,  admired  through  every  age, 
The  babe  of  Bethlehem  crowns  thy  page  1 
With  what  precision  dost  thou  trace 
The  then  obscure,  now  honored  place." 

His  authority  as  a  prophet  is  twice  alhided  to  in  the 
New  Testament,  (Matthew  ii.  5,  6,  and  John  vii.  42.) 
It  was  given  to  this  prophet  to  predict  a  glorious 
High  Priest.  "  The  clouded  ark  of  God,"  for  whose 
peace  and  prosperity  this  prayer  is  made,  this 
servant  of  God  knew  was  yet  to  be  enshrined  in 
a  glorious  living  temple;  it  had  the  promise  of 
Heaven  that — 

"  He  to  his  own  a  Comforter  will  send 
The  promise  of  the  Father,  who  shall  dwell 
His  spirit  within  them,  and  the  law  of  faith. 
Working  through  love,  upon  their  hearts  shall  write, 
To  guide  them  in  all  truth,  and  also  arm 
With  spiritual  armor." 

After  lamenting  over  the  general  corruption  of  the 
Church,  the  prophet  alludes  to  his  firm  confidence 
and  trust  in  God,  to  the  poor  broken  friendships  of 
earth,  and  the  friend  who  knows  no  changing,  and 
in  forcible  language  speaks  of  the  punishment  of  the 
wicked  and  their  sudden  fear. 


MICAH.  213 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Micali  vii. 

1  Woe  is  me !  for  I  am  as  when  they  have  gathered  the  sum- 
mer fruits,  as  the  grapegleaniiigs  of  the  vintage ;  there  is  no 
cluster  to  eat :  my  soul  desired  the  firstripe  fruit. 

2  The  good  man  is  perished  out  of  the  earth :  and  there  is 
none  upright  among  men :  they  all  lie  in  wait  for  blood ;  they 
hunt  every  man  his  brother  with  a  net. 

3  That  they  may  do  evil  with  both  hands  earnestly,  the  prince 
asketh,  and  the  judge  asketh  for  a  reward :  and  the  great  man, 
he  uttereth  his  mischievous  desire  :  so  they  wrap  it  up. 

4  The  best  of  them  is  as  a  brier:  the  most  upright  is  sharper 
than  a  thorn  hedge  :  the  day  of  thy  watchmen  and  thy  visitation 
Cometh  ;  now  shall  be  their  perplexity. 

5.  Trust  ye  not  in  a  friend,  put  ye  not  confidence  in  a  guide  : 
keep  the  doors  of  thy  mouth  from  her  that  lieth  in  thy  bosom. 

6  For  the  son  dishonoreth  the  father,  the  daughter  riseth  up 
against  her  mother,  the  daughter  in  law  against  her  mother  in 
law;  a  man's  enemies  are  the  men  of  his  own  house. 

7  Therefore  I  will  look  unto  the  Lord  ;  I  will  wait  for  the 
God  of  my  salvation  :  my  God  will  hear  me. 

8  Rejoice  not  against  me,  O  mine  enemy :  when  I  fall,  I  shall 
arise;  when  I  sit  in  darkness,  the  Lord  shall  be  a  light  unto 
me. 

9  I  will  bear  the  indignation  of  the  Lord,  because  I  have 
sinned  against  him,  until  he  plead  my  cause,  and  execute  judg- 
ment for  me :  he  will  bring  me  forth  to  the  light,  and  I  shall 
behold  his  righteousness. 

10  Then  she  that  is  mine  enemy  shall  see  it,  and  shame  shall 
cover  her  which  said  unto  me.  Where  is  the  Lord  thy  God? 

The  Lord^s  Answer. — Micali  vii. 

15  According  to  the  days  of  thy  coming  out  of  the  land  of 
Egypt  will  I  show  unto  him  marvellous  things. 


214  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

16  The  nations  shall  see  and  be  confounded  at  all  their  might . 
they  shall  lay  their  hand  upon  their  mouth,  their  ears  shall  be 
deaf. 

17  They  shall  lick  the  dust  like  a  serpent,  they  shall  move 
out  of  their  holes  like  worms  of  the  earth  :  they  shall  be  afraid 
of  the  Lord  our  God,  and  shall  fear  because  of  thee. 

18  Who  is  a  God  like  unto  thee,  that  pardoneth  iniquity,  and 
passeth  by  the  transgression  of  the  remnant  of  his  heritage  ? 
he  retaineth  not  his  anger  for  ever,  because  he  delighteth  in 
mercy. 

19  He  vi^ill  turn  again,  he  will  have  compassion  upon  us;  he 
will  subdue  our  iniquities;  and  thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sins  into 
the  depths  of  the  sea. 

20  Thou  wilt  perform  the  truth  to  Jacob,  and  the  mercy  to 
Abraham,  which  thou  hast  sworn  unto  our  fathers  from  the  days 
of  old. 


THE  PRA.TER  OF  HABAKKUK. 

The  prayer  with  which  the  writings  of  this  He- 
brew poet  and  prophet  open  is  full  of  lamentation 
and  mourning  for  Zion;  that  few  come  to  her 
solemn  feasts  grieves  the  heart  of  this  chosen  and 
devoted  one.  This  prophet  predicts  the  Chaldean 
invasion,  and  its  terrible  effects,  bewails  in  this 
prayer  the  wickedness  of  the  invaders,  mourns  deep- 
ly the  decay  of  religion;  his  heart  is  full  of  grief, 
and  he  has  come  to  the  mercy -seat,  weary  of  the 
wickedness,  to  ask  of  God  how  long  sin  must  abound 


HABAKKUK.  215 


and  the  love  of  many  wax  cold.  He  sorrows  for 
the  poor  who  are  abused  and  oppressed.  He  has 
brought  his  troubles  and  sorrows  to  God ;  his  heart 
heavy  with  its  weight  of  wo,  is  poured  into  an  ear 
ever  ready  to  answer  the  complaints  of  his  loved 
ones.  As  He  was  to  the  prophets,  a  "  Guardian,"  a 
"  Mystery,''  and  a  "  Guide,"  such  he  is  to  this  chosen 
people  now,  as  he  heard  and  answered  their  peti- 
tions because  "  Zion  mourned,"  as  he  was  ever  with 
his  people  even  when  with  weeping  and  lamentation 
the  prophets  plead  for  her,  so  he  is  with  her  still  to 
listen  to  the  lament  of  his  poorest  and  most  humble 
follower.  The  "Shepherd  of  Israel"  is  watching 
his  flock  with  his  all-seeing  eye ;  and  who  are  his 
flock?  All,  whoever  and  wherever,  on  mountain, 
hill-side,  or  valley,  in  whatever  or  whenever  they 
worship  the  "Shepherd  Jehovah,"  trust  in  him,  and 
are  saved  by  his  grace.  He  encourages  his  children 
to  pray  for  his  little  flock,  if  she  is  scattered  and 
clouds  hang  heavy  about  her,  for  he  has  promised  to 
gather  his  lambs  in  his  bosom,  and  gently  lead  his 
erring  ones.  He  has  through  his  prophets  predicted 
days  of  gloom,  but  through  them  he  has  shown  us 
the  Sun  of  Righteousness. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Habakkuk  i. 

1  The  burden  which  Habakkuk  the  prophet  did  see. 

2  O  Lord,  how  long  shall  I  cry,  and  thou  wilt  not  hear!  even 
cry  out  unto  thee  of  violence,  and  thou  wilt  not  save ! 


216  THE   PEAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

3  Why  dost  thou  show  me  iniquitj%  and  cause  me  to  behold 
grievance?  for  spoiling  and  violence  are  before  me:  and  there 
are  that  raise  up  strife  and  contention. 

4  Therefore  the  law  is  slacked,  and  judgment  doth  never  go 
forth:  for  the  wicked  doth  compass  about  the  righteous  ;  there- 
fore wrong  judgment  proceedeth. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Habakkuk  i. 

6  Behold  ye  among  the  heathen,  and  regard,  and  wonder 
marvellously :  for  I  will  work  a  work  in  your  days,  whi-^h  ye 
will  not  believe,  though  it  be  told  you. 

6  For,  lo,  I  raise  up  the  Chaldeans,  that  bitter  and  hasty  na- 
tion, which  shall  march  through  the  breadth  of  the  land,  to  pos- 
sess the  dwellingplaces  that  are  not  their's. 

7  They  are  terrible  and  dreadful:  their  judgment  and  their 
dignity  shall  prbceed  of  themselves. 

8  Their  horses  also  are  swifter  than  the  leopards,  and  are 
more  fierce  than  the  evening  wolves :  and  their  horsemen  shall 
spread  themselves,  and  their  horsemen  shall  come  from  far; 
they  shall  fly  as  the  eagle  that  hasteth  to  eat. 

9  They  shall  come  all  for  violence:  their  faces  shall  sup  up 
as  the  east  wind,  and  they  shall  gather  the  captivity  as  the  sand. 

10  And  they  shall  scoff  at  the  kings,  and  the  princes  shall  be 
a  scorn  unto  them:  they  shall  deride  every  strong  hold;  for 
they  shall  heap  dust,  and  take  it. 

11  Then  shall  his  mind  change,  and  he  shall  pass  over,  and 
offend,  imputing  this  his  power  unto  his  god.     [Belus  or  Nebo.] 


HABAKKUK^  217 


HAT3AKKUK  PRAYS  IIST  PROSPECT  OF  APPROACHING 

TRIALS. 

As  an  Israelite  and  representing  tlie  nation,  the 
prophet  addresses  God  as  the  everlasting  Jehovah, 
and  his  Portion  forever.     He  had  been  full  of  the 
hope  that  God  would  deal  lightly  with  the  people, 
and  his  corrections  would  not  be  so  heavy  as  God 
caused  him  to  predict  they  would  be ;  he  is  assured 
by  the  word  of  Him  who  is  Truth,  that  heavy  and 
dire  calamities  were  to  be  poured  ont,  and  in  pros- 
pect of  these  he  prays.    His  language  is  figurative  in 
some  degree,  and  weak  and  powerless  become  the 
people  in  the  hands  of  the  wicked ;  like  the  '*  creeping 
thing  of  the  earth,"  or  like  the  "  fish  of  the  sea,"  easily 
taken  in  the  net.     He  alludes  to  the  helpless  Jews 
in  the  hands  of  the  victorious  Chaldeans.    He  shows 
how  the  successful  in  victory  would  become  foolish 
in  prosperity,  and  make  sacrifices  to  vain,  empty, 
and  unsatisfying  gods.     He  asks  of  God  if  he  will 
permit  all  this.     This  is  the  theme  of  the  prophet's 
prayer;  he  wonders  the  Almighty  will  keep  silence 
in  the  midst  of  what  seems  to  him  unjust  oppression. 
God  worketh  by  means,  and  doeth  his  pleasure  in 
the  armies  of  heaven  and  among  the  children  of 
men.     "As  thy  day  so  shall  thy  strength  be,"  he 
has  whispered  to  his  children's  hearts.     God  will 
prepare  his  "own"  for  every  trial  however  bitter, 


218  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

even  heavy  as  tliose  in  prospect  of  whiicli  Habakkuk 
prayed. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Habakkuk  i. 

12  Art  thou  not  from  everlasting,  O  Lord  ray  God,  mine 
Holy  One?  we  shall  not  die,  O  Lord,  thou  hast  ordained  them 
for  judgment;  and,  O  mighty  God,  thou  hast  established  them 
for  correction. 

13  Thou  art  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  evil,  and  canst  not 
look  on  iniquity :  vi^herefore  lookest  thou  upon  them  that  deal 
treacherously,  and  boldest  thy  tongue  when  the  wicked  devour- 
eth  the  man  that  is  more  righteous  than  he  ? 

14  And  makest  men  as  the  fishes  of  the  sea,  as  the  creeping 
things,  that  have  no  ruler  over  them  ? 

15  They  take  up  all  of  them  with  the  angle,  they  catch  them 
in  their  net,  and  gather  them  in  their  drag :  therefore  they  re- 
joice and  are  glad. 

16  Therefore  they  sacrifice  unto  their  net,  and  burn  incense 
unto  their  drag ;  because  by  them  their  portion  is  fat,  and  their 
meat  plenteous. 

17  Shall  they  therefore  empty  their  net,  and  not  spare  con- 
tinually to  slay  the  nations? 


HABAKKUK'S  EXPECTATION  OF  ANSWERS  TO  HIS 
PRAYERS. 

Like  a  faithful  watcliman  at  his  post  the  prophet 
waits  further  instructions  from  the  Lord,  that  he 
might  know  what  answer  to  make  to  those  who  had 


HABAKKUK.  219 


rebelled  and  contended  against  his  former  predic- 
tions. 

"  Let  Zion's  watchmen  all  awake, 
And  take  th'  alarm  they  give ; 
Now  let  them  from  the  mouth  of  God,  , 

Their  awful  charge  receive." 

Habakkuk  ii. 

1  I  will  stand  upon  my  watch,  and  set  me  upon  the  tower, 
and  will  watch  to  see  what  he  will  say  unto  me,  and  what  I  shall 
answer  when  I  am  reproved. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Habakkuk  ii. 

2  And  the  Lord  answered  me,  and  said,  Write  the  vision, 
and  make  it  plain  upon  tables,  that  he  may  run  that  readeth  it. 

3  For  the  vision  is  yet  for  an  appointed  time,  but  at  the  end 
it  shall  speak,  and  not  lie :  though  it  tarry,  wait  for  it ;  because 
it  will  surely  come,  it  will  not  tarry. 

4  Behold,  his  soul  which  is  lifted  up  is  not  upright  in  him  : 
but  the  just  shall  live  by  his  faith. 


PRAYER  OF  HABAKKUK  UPON  SHIGIONOTH,  (or  musical 
instrument.) 

This  prayerful  hymn  of  the  prophet  is  full 
of  fervor  and  deep  piety,  and  is  of  peculiar  inter- 
est to  all,  especially  to  those  who  have  been  tried 
in  the  furnace  of  affliction,  and  over  whose  path 
many  clouds  have  rested.     "Eemember  thou  art 


220  THE   PKAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

a  heritor  of  evil,  witli  a  riglit  to  nothing  good." 
Wait,. child  of  hope,  and  yours  may  be  the  faith  of 
Habakkuk,  and  with  him,  in  the  midst  of  trial,  you 
"may  joy  in  the  God  of  salvation."  Thy  sorrows 
may  humble  thee,  and  the  furnace  of  affliction  re- 
fine thy  soul,  and  with  the  prophet  you  too  may 
know 

"  'Tis  sweet  to  feel  that  he  who  tries 
The  silver,  takes  his  seat 
Beside  the  fire  that  purifies, 
Lest  too  intense  a  heat, 
Raised  to  consume  the  base  alloy, 
The  precious  metal  too  destroy. 
But  ah !  how  much  of  earthly  mould 
Dark  relics  of  the  mine, 
Lost  from  the  ore  must  he  behold, 
Ere  in  the  silver  he  can  trace 
The  first  faint  semblance  to  his  face." 

In  this  prayer  the  prophet  speaks  of  God  as  coming 
from  Teman — -Mount  Seir — and  Paran,  to  meet 
them  on  Mount  Sinai,  that-  hallowed  place.  The 
"brightness"  alluded  to  was  an  emblem  of  God's 
glory,  the  "coals"  of  the  Shekinah ;  the  "tents  of 
Cushan"  were  the  dwelling-places  of  several  tribes 
— the  Midianites,  Moabites,  Ammonites,  and  Ara- 
bians; the  "curtains"  were  the  hangings  of  these 
tents ;  the  "  bow  "  often  represented  all  the  weapons 
of  war,  and  its  being  made  naked  signified  it  was 
ever  ready.  The  Eed  Sea  and  the  smitten  rock  are 
alluded  to,  and  God  is  represented  as  marching 


HABAKKUK.  221 

through  the  land  of  Canaan  in  great  wrath,  "  wound- 
ing the  neck,"  or  cutting  off  the  chief  person  in  the 
famihes  of  the  enemies  of  Israel.  This  prayer  will 
not  only  attract  the  Christian,  but  him  who  is 
only  a  lover  of  poetry,  and  while  we  know  God 
looks  at  the  heart,  and  men  are  not  heard  for  their 
much  speaking,  we  must  admire  the  chosen  language, 
and  the  words  of  the  inspired  man  as  he  addresses 
the  Most  High  God. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Habakkuk  iii. 

2  O  Lord,  I  have  heard  thy  speech,  and  was  afraid  ;  O  Lord, 
revive  thy  work  ia  the  midst  of  the  years,  in  the  midst  of  the 
years  make  knovvn;  in  wrath  remember  mercy. 

.  3  God  came  from  Teman,  and  the  Holy  One  from  mount 
Paran.  Selah.  His  glory  covered  the  heavens,  and  the  earth 
was  full  of  his  praise. 

4  And  his  brightness  was  as  the  light ;  he  had  horns  coming 
out  of  his  hand  :  and  there  was  the  hiding  of  his  power. 

5  Before  him  went  the  pestilence,  and  burning  coals  went 
forth  at  his  feet. 

6  He  stood,  and  measured  the  earth  ;  he  beheld,  and  drove 
asunder  the  nations ;  and  the  everlasting  mountains  were  scat- 
tered,  the  perpetual  hills  did  bow :  his  ways  are  everlasting. 

7  1  saw  the  tents  of  Cushan  in  affliction  :  and  the  curtains  of 
the  land  of  Midian  did  tremble. 

8  Was  the  Lord  displeased  against  the  rivers  ?  was  thine  an- 
ger against  the  rivers?  was  thy  wrath  against  the  sea,  that  thou 
didst  ride  upon  thine  horses  and  thy  chariots  of  salvation  1 

9  Thy  bow  was  made  quite  naked,  according  to  the  oaths  of 
the  tribes,  even  thy  word.  Selah.  Thou  didst  cleave  the  earth 
with  rivers. 


222  THE  PEAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

10  The  mountains  saw  thee,  and  they  trembled :  the  over- 
flowing of  the  water  passed  by ;  the  deep  uttered  his  voice,  and 
lifted  up  his  hands  on  high. 

1 1  The  sun  and  moon  stood  still  in  their  habitation ;  at  the 
light  of  thine  arrows  they  went,  and  at  the  shining  of  thy  glit- 
tering spear. 

12  Thou  didst  march  through'  the  land  in  indignation,  thou 
didst  thresh  the  heathen  in  anger. 

13  Thou  wentest  forth  for  the  salvation  of  thy  people,  even  - 
for  salvation  with  thine  anointed ;  thou  woundest  the  head  out 
of  the  house  of  the  wicked,  by  discovering  the  foundation  unto 
the  neck.     Selah. 

14  Thou  didst  strik'e  through  with  his  staves  the  head  of  his 
villages :  they  came  out  as  a  whirlwind  to  scatter  me ;  their  re- 
joicing was  as  to  devour  the  poor  secretly. 

16  Thou  didst  walk  through  the  sea  with  thine  horses,  through 
the  heap  of  great  waters. 

16  When  I  heard,  my  belly  trembled;  my  lips  quivered  at 
the  voice  :  rottenness  entered  into  my  bones,  and  I  trembled  in 
myself,  that  I  might  rest  in  the  day  of  trouble :  when  he  cometh 
up  unto  the  people,  he  will  invade  them  with  his  troops. 

17  Although  the  fig  tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither  shall  fruit 
be  in  the  vines;  the  labor  of  the  olive  shall  fail,  and  the  fields 
shall  yield  no  meat;  the  flock  shall  be  cut  oflf  from  the  fold,  and 
there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stalls : 

18  Yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  I  will  joy  in  the  God  of 
my  salvation. 

19  The  Lord  God  is  my  strength,  and  he  will  make  my  feet 
like  hinds'  feet,  and  he  will  make  me  to  walk  upon  mine  high 
places.     To  the  chief  singer  on  my  stringed  instruments. 


ZECHAEIAH.  223 


PRAYER  OF  THE  JEWS  CONCERNING  THEIR  FASTS. 

Sherezer  and  Eegem-melecli  were  probably  men 
of  distinction  among  the  remnant  of  Jews  at  Baby- 
lon, and  were  sent  to  the  temple  to  inquire  of  the 
prophets  and  priests  concerning  their  fasts.  They 
kept  an  annual  fast  in  the  fourth  month  in  remem- 
brance of  the  breaking  down  of  the  wall  of  Jerusa- 
lem, one  for  the  burning  of  the  temple  in  the  fifth 
month,  another  in  the  seventh  month  on  the  day 
Gedeliah  was  slain,  and  one  at  the  time  of  the  siege 
of  the  city  commenced  in  the  tenth  month.  They 
had  wept  and  mourned  over  their  sins  and  had 
fasted  often,  separating  themselves  from  the  world, 
and  denying  themselves  ordinary  food;  weary  of 
these  fasts  they  make  it  a  subject  of  special  prayer. 
It  is  evident  from  the  answer  to  it  they  had  not 
fasted  with  the  right  spirit ;  although  not  of  divine 
appointment,  it  would  have  been  of  spiritual  benefit 
to  them  had  they  uprightly  observed  it ;  they  ex- 
hibited no  humility  and  no  deep  sorrow  for  sin,  and 
these  "appointed  times  "  were  kept  as  a  mere  matter 
of  form ;  there  was  no  heart  work  in  it,  and  such  a 
service  was  not  acceptable  although  appointed  by 
high  authority.  Is  there  not  much  fasting  which  is 
not  "  unto  the  Lord,"  even  in  these  latter  days  ? 
Where  is  the  hunger  and  thirst  of  the  spirit  for 


224  THE   PEAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

heavenly  food  that  should  accompany  an  acceptable 
fast?  We  fear  it  is  sometimes  forsrotten  in  the 
formality  of  the  service,  or  in  the  "  customary 
prayer,"  or  li]j  devotion,  that  so  often  attracts  the 
heart  where  grace  has  never  entered,  and  where  the 
love  of  God  is  not  the  living,  moving,  acting,  prin- 
ciple. Let  no  deluded  worshiper  come  with  such  a 
"vain  oblation,"  for  by  the  Lord's  answer  to  this 
prayer  of  the  Jews,  we  know  it  will  not  be  accepta- 
ble. Cease,  too,  thy  weeping,  for  thy  tears  are  not 
those  God  measures  in  his  sacred  bottle.  There  is  a 
fasting  of  the  spirit  which  he  alone  can  satisfy,  and 
there  are  prayerful  tears,  like  those  of  Moses  ;  silent 
and  unexpressed  as  was  the  desire  of  his  hearty  when 
the  Lord  said  I  have  heard  thy  crying." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Zechariah  vii. . 

2  When  they  had  sent  unto  the  house  of  God  Sherezer  and 
Regem-nieleeh,  and  their  oien  to  pray  before  the  Lord, 

3  And  to  speak  unto  the  priests  which  were  in  the  house  of 
the  Lord  of  hosts,  and  to  the  prophets,  saying.  Should  I  weep 
in  the  fifth  month,  separating  myself,  as  I  have  done  these  so 
many  years  ? 

The  Lord''s  Ansioer. — Zechariah  vii. 

4  Then  came  the  word  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  unto  me,  say- 
ing, 

5  Speak  unto  all  the  people  of  the  land,  and  to  the  priests, 
saying,  When  ye  fasted  and  mourned  in  the  fifth  and  seventh 
month,  even  those  seventy  years,  did  ye  <at  all  fiist  unto  me,  even 
to  me? 


ZECHARIAH.  225 

6  And  when  ye  did  eat,  and  when  ye  did  drink,  did  not  ye 
eat  for  yourselves,  and  drink  for  yourselves? 

7  Should  ye  not  hear  the  words  which  the  Lord  hath  cried  by 
the  former  prophets,  when  Jerusalem  was  inhabited  and  in 
prosperity,  and  the  cities  thereof  round  about  her,  when  men 
inhabited  the  south  and  the  plain  1 

8  And  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  Zechariah,  saying, 

9  Thus  speaketh  the  Lord  of  hosts,  saying.  Execute  true 
judgment,  and  show  mercy  and  compassions  every  man  to  his 
brother : 

10  And  oppress  not  the  widow,  nor  the  fatherless,  the  stran- 
ger, nor  the  poor;  and  let  none  of  you  imagine,  evil  against  his 
brother  in  your  heart. 

1 1  But  they  refused  to  hearken,  and  pulled  away  the  shoul- 
der, and  stopped  their  ears,  that  they  should  not  hear. 

12  Yea,  they  made  their  hearts  as  an  adamant  stone,  lest  they 
should  hear  the  law,  and  the  words  which  the  Lord  of  hosts 
hath  sent  in  his  spirit  by  the  former  prophets  :  therefore  came 
a  great  wrath  from  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

13  Therefore  it  is  come  to  pass,  that  as  he  cried,  and  they 
would  not  hear;  so  they  cried,  and  I  would  not  hear,  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts : 

14  But  I  scattered  them  with  a  whirlwind  among  all  the  na- 
tions whom  they  knew  not.  Thus  the  land  was  desolate  after 
them,  that  no  man  passed  through  nor  returned :  for  they  laid 
the  pleasant  land  desolate. 

The  Lord's  further  Ansiver. — Zechariab  viii. 

18  And  the  word  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  came  unto  me,  saying 

19  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts;  The  fast  of  the  fourth 
month,  and  the  fast  of  the  fifth,  and  the  fast  of  the  seventh,  and 
the  fast  of  the  tenth,  shall  be  to  the  house  of  Judah  joy  and 


226  THE  PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

gladness,  and  cheerful  feasts;    therefore   love  the  truth   and 
peace. 

20  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts ;  It  shall  yet  come  to  pass, 
that  there  shall  come  people,  and  the  inhabitants  of  many  cities : 

21  And  the  inhabitants  of  one  city  shall  go  to  another,  saying, 
Let  us  go  speedily  to  pray  before  the  Lord,  and  to  seek  the 
Lord  of  hosts:  I  will  go  also. 

22  Yea,  many  people  and  strong  nations  shall  come  to  seek 
the  Lord  of  hosts  in  Jerusalem,  and  to  pray  before  the  Lord. 


^raijra  nf  tjjt  Mm  €mimmi 


INTRODUCTION. 

But  a  part  of  our  pleasant  task  is  accomplislied ; 
but  we  trust  we  have  gathered  that  "  hidden  fire  " 
from  the  hearts  of  the  patriarchs  and  prophets 
which  sheds  a  halo  of  glorj  over  the  Old  Testament, 
and  we  trust  will  kindle  to  a  brighter  glow  the  flame 
of  devotion  in  the  Christian  heart,  while  it  lightens 
the  path  of  the  wanderer  to  the  mercy-seat  and  cross 
of  Calvary.  We  will  go  softly  for  the  ground  is 
holy ;  we  have  come  to  glean  in  a  field  which  the 
men  who  spake  as  moved  by  God  saw  only  through 
the  vail  of  prophecy.  We  have  come  to  gather  into 
the  Christian  granary  a  rich  harvest — the  Prayers 
of  the  New  Testament.  The  wall  of  partition  be- 
tween Gentile  and  Jew  is  now  broken  away,  and 
the  vail  that  covered  the  most  holy  place  is  severed. 


228  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

He  whom  Israel  waited  for — the  theme  of  the  lofti- 
est, holiest  strains  of  patriarchs  and  prophets — has 
come,  treading  the  same  earth,  breathing  the  same 
air  with  ourselves,  a  perfect  God  and  perfect  man, 
and  as  we  tremble  at  the  mystery,  and  read  of  the 
incarnation,  atonement,  and  sanclification  by  the 
Spirit,  our  hearts  are  melted  in  love,  for  we  know 
we  have  an  Intercessor  pleading  for  us  at  the  right 
hand  of  God.  It  is  our  precious  privilege  to  review 
the  wanderings  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus  with  a 
few  of  earth's  humble  children  as  his  followers  ;  we 
watch  him  as  he  listens  to  the  inward  struggle  with 
sin,  the  groan  for  mercy,  the  first  whispered  desire 
of  the  penitent,  the  wail  of  the  lonely  and  broken- 
hearted, the  sob  of  the  afflicted,  and  the  call  of  the 
terror-stricken,  we  hear  his  gentle  encouragement  to 
the  weak,  his  mild  rebuke  to  the  proud,  his  caution 
to  the  self-righteous,  his  admonition  to  the  worldly 
and  covetous,  his  soothing  words  to  the  sad  and 
sorrowing.  We  follow  him  from  the  low  manger 
where  slept  in  infancy  the  "God  omnipotent,"  while 
on  his  vesture  and  thigh  his  name  is  written,  "King 
of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords."  We  see  his  humble 
parents  bearing  not  the  crown  or  scepter  of  Judah — 
no,  the  Saviour  came  to  pour  contempt  on  the  pride 
of  man,  to  bring  him  a  beggar  to  the  mercy-seat, 
that  every  knee  might  bow  before  him,  and  every 
tongue  confess  him  "Lord  of  all."  We  may  go 
with  him 


INTRODUCTION'.  229 


"  When  slip|)ing  from  his  mother's  eye, 
He  went  alone  into  the  temple, 
Amoujj  the  gravest  rabbis  disputant." 

We  see  him  in  the  Aviklerness,  and  on  the  wave, 
homeless  and  houseless,  at  the  mountain  side,  always 
read}^,  and  never  weary  of  listening  to  and  answer- 
ing the  prayers  of  his  loving  children. 

'  Our  Saviour  has  ascended  to  heaven,  but  he  has 
not  left  us  comfortless,  for  from  his  holy  home  above 
he  is  calling  each  one  of  us  to  follow  him.  He 
knows  that  in  our  iutirmity  v/e  cannot  struggle 
alone ;  his  almighty  arm  is  therefore  stretched  out 
to  help,  and  he  would  have  us  daily  ask  for  strength 
to  battle  with  our  inborn  sin  and  corruption.  He 
struggled  with  the  waves  of  life  that  we  too  might 
breast  the  current ;  as  he  found  the  world  a  vale  of 
tears  so  every  Christian  will  find  it;  he  tells  us  to 

'■Lean  not  ou  earth,  'twill  pierce  thee  to  the  heart, 
A  broken  reed  at  best,  but  oft  a  spear, 
Oa  its  sharp  point  peace  bleeds  and  hope  expires." 

Our  blessed  Lord  has  established  a  throne  of  grace, 
at  which  we  may  hold  as  immediate  communion 
with  him  as  did  his  followers  when  he  was  made 
flesh  and  dwelt  among  them ;  the  star  in  the  East  is 
ever  guiding  to  the  new  and  living  way,  and  with 
the  same  unerring  light  as  when  it  first  brightened 
the  plains  of  Judea,  and  will  lead  each  one  as  truly 
as  it  did  the  eastern  magi  to  where  the  S.iviour  lies. 

11 


230  T1]E   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

While  we  take  Christ  as  our  great  exemplar  in 
our  journey  homeward  and  heavenward,  it  becomes 
us  Christians  to  searcli  the  Scriptures  to  examine 
well  and  closely  tlie  lives  and  characters,  and  more 
particularly  the  prayers  of  those  who  were  associated 
with  our  Saviour  on  his  earthly  career,  that  we  may, 
from  their  petitions  and  his  approving  answer  or 
gentle  rebuke,  be  guided  in  our  own  prayers  at  the 
mercy -seat.  We  see  a  company  of  men,  mortal  as 
we  are,  subject  to  like  passions,  some  leading  lives 
of  faith  and  holiness,  some  proud  and  covetous, 
some  following  closely  in  the  footsteps  of  the 
Saviour,  and  others  following  afar  off;  each  one  of 
us  may  here  find  a  daguerreotype  of  his  own  heart, 
in  some  one  of  the  many  who  came  to  Jesus  in 
prayer.  In  the  eye  of  the  v/orld  we  may  not  all  be 
self-denying  and  devoted  as  Paul,  or  faithful  and 
loving  as  John,  yet  we  may  follow  the  injunction  of 
the  one  to  pray  without  ceasing,  and  strive  for  the 
name  of  the  other,  the  "loved  disciple  of  the  Lord." 
At  the  throne  of  grace  the  rich  and  the  poor  man 
may  meet  together;  the  Lord  is  the  Maker  of  us 
all,  no  matter  what  our  name  or  profession  among 
men.  We  are  called  to  the  msrcy-seat,  and,  through 
this  waste  howling  wilderness,  we  need  aid  from 
above  to  guide  us.  If  to  any  God  has  given  earthly 
power,  and  yours  is  an  exalted  station  among  your 
fellow  men,  trust  not  in  your  own  strength,  go  to 
-your  Creator  for  wisdom,  encourage  in  your  heart 


INTRODUCTION.  231 


no  longer  the  ambition  that  makes  you  forget  to 
pray,  or  leads  you  to  be  satisfied  with  the  poor 
crumbling  crown  earth  can  bestow.  Seek  at  the 
mercy-seat  that  which  can  be  found  only  there,  a 
crown  of  immortality,  which  you  may  wear  forever 
in  heaven. 

God  rules  among  the  armies  of  heaven;  and  to  the 
soldier  he  is  calling  from  the  tented  field  and  amid 
the  din  of  battle,  to  lift  up  his  spirit  in  prayer, 
strengthened  by  it  he  will  be  nerved  for  every  con- 
flict, for  there  is  for  him  a  shield  of  faith,  a  sword  of 
the  Spirit.     Under  the  banner  of  the  King  of  kings 
victory  is  sure ;  in  the  good  fight  he  will  be  able  to 
subdue  his  last  great  enemy,  and  enter  as  a  con- 
queror a  land,  where  garments  dyed  in  blood  are 
rolled  away    and  rumors  of  war  never  reach   the 
ears  of  the  ransomed.     In  the  dark  house  of  the 
body  our  souls  must  struggle  with  our  nature's  base 
desires,    and  man  has   many   temporal  as  well  as 
spiritual  interests ;  but  these  interests  with  all  their 
cares  and  anxieties  should  be  brought  before  the 
mercy-seat,  and  committed  to  the  guidance  of  that 
God  who  marks  the  sparrow's  fall.     Let  the  way  to 
the  mercy  seat  be  a  worn  and  beaten  track,  and 
whether  your  work  be  little  or  great,  you  will  do  it 
with  your  might,  for  beyond  your  toil  and  care  you 
will  see  a  home  of  rest  in  heaven.     If  to  any  have 
been  given  the  light  of  genius  or  the  pen  of  ready 
writers,  forget  not  the  mercy-seat,  depend  not  on 


232  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

your  own  strengtli  to  guide  you  in  the  use  of  sucli 
great  and  good  gifts ;  consecrate  them  to  your  God. 
He  who  placed  within  you  the  light  of  mind,  would 
have  you  go  where  its  flame  may  burn  purely, 
fanned  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  its  beams  may  soft- 
en, and  warm  the  hardened  heart,  and  lead  some 
convicted  sinner  to  kneel  with  you  before  the  Lord. 
Beware  lest  it  be  said  of  you  in  the  sarcasm  of  the 
prophet,  "  Ye  were  wise  to  do  evil."  Your  works 
will  live  long  after  you  are  at  rest  in  the  shadowy 
valley,  and  if  written  without  prayer  they  may  draw 
from  the  worldly  a  voice  of  praise,  but  from  God  a 
withering  curse. 

In  this  volume  of  prayers  mothers  will  see  that 
parents  brought  their  little  ones  to  Jesus.  Oh,  bring 
yours  to  him,  he  is  ever  ready  to  welcome  you, 
and  those  he  has  given  you.  Angels  are  at  the 
mercy-seat  to  bear  your  prayers  upward.  Teach 
your  children  to  hold  communion  with  their  heav- 
enly Father,  whose  kind  care  will  be  over  them 
when  earthly  parents  are  sleeping  in  death,  and 
early  instill  the  lesson,  that  there  is  naught  in  all 
this  hollow  world  to  lighten  sorrow  but  prayer. 

We  are  able  to  point  out  to  the  poor  man  as  he 
struggles  with  the  ills  of  life  a  rich  treasure ;  we 
have  "a  golden  key  to  the  wicket  of  mercy;"  if 
you  use  it  yours  may  be  gifts  that  cannot  be  bought, 
for  the  price  of  them  is  far  above  rubies ;  he  who 
died  that  you  might  win  this  treasure  was  a  man  of 


MATTHEW.  233 


sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief,  poor  and  reject- 
ed with  no  resting  place ;  weep  not  then  over  thy 
poverty,  for  Christ  himself  vv^as  poor.  "  Heaven 
wept  that  man  might  smile." 

"  Therefore  pray,  0  creature,  for  many  and  great  are  thy  wants ; 
Thy  mind,  thy  conscience,  and  thy  being — 
Thy  rights,  commend  thee  unto  prayer. 
The  care  of  all  cares,  the  grand  panacea  for  all  woes ; 
Doubt's  destroyer,  ruin's  remedy,  the  antidote  to  all  anxieties," 

"  Continue  in  prayer,  and  watch  in  the  same  with  thanksgiving." 

OoLossiANS  iv.  2. 

"  Thou  shalt  call  and  the  Lord  shall  answer ;  thou  shalt  cry,  and 
he  shall  say,  Here  I  am." — John  xv.  7. 


THE  LORD'S  PRAYER. 

There  were  two  occasions  on  which  the  Lord  de- 
livered this  form  of  prayer.  The  one  before  our 
notice  was  his  sermon  on  the  mount  at  the  time  of 
Pentecost,  the  other  some  months  after.  In  our 
own  mind  there  is  no  doubt  the  Lord  intended  this 
form  of  prayer  to  be  used  in  both  our  public  and 
private  devotions;  we  infer  this  from  the  circum- 
stances connected  with  its  delivery  both  the  first  and 
the  second  times.  The  Jews,  in  their  merely  peti- 
tionary prayers  never  used  the  "  amen  "  at  the  close, 
but  where  there  were  expressions  of  thanksgiving 


234  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

and  benediction  always ;  we  will  remark  this  in  the 
prayers  of  the  Psalms,  and  also  of  the  apostles.  We 
do  not  for  a  moment  suppose  our  blessed  Lord  in- 
tended us  to  confine  ourselves  solely  to  this  form  or 
any  other,  but  has  given  it  to  us  as  a  guide — a  high 
and  holy  model.  It  is  a  ray  from  the  Sun  of  righte- 
ousness to  lead  us  in  the  right  road  to  the  mercy- 
seat.  Coming  as  it  does  from  lips  that  spake  as 
never  man  spake,  it  bears  the  seal  of  heaven  the 
stamp  of  the  Almighty.  We  are  taught  in  the 
verses  preceding  this  prayer  what  was  meant  by  a 
high  and  holy  communion  with  the  "hearer  and 
answerer."  On  our  approach  to  our  Saviour  in 
prayer,  we  are  to  bid  adieu  for  that  hallowed  hour 
to  earth  with  her  thousand  cares,  and  to  close  the 
door  of  these  wandering  hearts;  in  such  a  frame  we 
may  erect  an  altar,  and  here  and  there  and  any- 
where make  known  our  requests  unto  God,  and  to 
all  such  secret  communion  we  are  promised  an  open, 
full  reward  from  the  great  Giver  of  all  good. 

We  find  expressed  in  the  Lord's  Prayer  every 
desire  of  the  Christian  heart,  every  wish  of  the  spirit 
struggling  for  a  home  on  high.  One  has  beautifully 
remarked  of  this  prayer,  "  that  however,  in  the  full- 
ness of  our  hearts,  we  may  depart  from  this  model, 
in  the  choice  of  our  expressions,  into  whatever  lami- 
nae we  may  expand  the  pure  gold  of  which  it  is 
composed,  yet  we  will  find  the  general  principles  of 
our  own  enlarged  application  to  God  substantially 


MATTHEW.  235 


contained  in  this  brief  compendium."  We  will  not 
now  attempt  to  divide  the  links  of  this  sacred  chain, 
or  comment  on  its  several  parts,  A  circle  of  bright 
and  shining  jewels,  each  brilliant  and  full  of  light  in 
itself,  it  is  a  blaze  of  glory  when  taken  as  a  whole, 
and  is  the  richest  treasure  in  the  Christian  cabinet 
of  sacred  relics.  Through  the  long  ages  that  have 
rolled  away  since  it  was  flrst  dictated  to  the  ears  of 
the  listening  multitude,  it  has  been  breathed  from 
every  Christian  heart,  and  been  the  "pure  incense" 
from  the  lips  of  infancy,  and  the  last  prayer  from 
the  soul  of  the  aged. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  vi. 

9  After  this  manner  therefore  pray  ye :  Our  Father  which  art 
in  heaven,  Hallowed  be  thy  name. 

10  Thy  kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be  done  in  earth,  as  it  is 
in  heaven. 

1 1  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread. 

12  And  forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors. 

13  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil: 
For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  for 
over.     Amen. 


THE  LEPER'S  PRAYER. 


Our  Saviour  had  just  finished  his  blessed  sermon 
on  the  mount,  and  returning  is  met  by  one  borne 
down  with  sickness  and  distress.  An  outcast  and 
lonely,  he  is  separated  from  those  he  loves,  for  he  is 


236  THE    PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

the  poor  victim  of  a  loathsome  and  incurable  dis- 
ease. Human  means  in  this  hour  of  agony  are  un- 
availing, and  he  knows  no  arm  but  one  is  sufficient 
to  succor  him ;  shunned  as  he  is  by  the  world,  avoided 
even  by  the  crowd  who  eagerly  follow  the  Saviour, 
he  fears  not  to  pour  out  his  complaint  in  an  ear  he 
believes  is  open  to  the  cry  of  the  sorrowing ;  and 
was  not  this  faith?  Pure,  simple,  trusting  faith,  it 
burned  brightly  in  that  leper's  heart, 

"  The  bulb  enshrouds  the  lily,  and  within 
The  most  unsightly  form  may  folded 
Lie  the  white  wing  of  an  angel." 

As  this  leper  came  to  Jesus  to  be  healed  of  his 
malady,  so  every  soul  must  come.  "  Degraded, 
weak,  and  blind  of  sin,  and  darkened  by  the  leprous 
scales  " — just  as  you  are^  in  all  your  uncleanness  and 
pollution ;  if  j^ou  are  in  sorrow,  come ;  if  you  are 
despised  and  rejected  of  men,  come ;  if  you  feel 
your  own  vileness,  come  in  simple  faith  as  the  leper 
came ;  the  Spirit  and  the  Bride  say  come,  and 

The  angels  watch  are  keeping, 
In  their  holy  homes  of  light, 
Above  poor  sinners  weeping — 
There  is  joy  at  such  a  sight. 
To  you  they're  loudly  calling, 
Saying,  Come !  to  one  and  all. 
While  round  the  Saviour  falling 
Ye  are  listening  to  the  call, 
Come  all  the  sick  and  sufi'ering 
To  the  great  physician  there ; 
Come  kneel  in  simple,  humble  faith, 
And  breathe  the  "  leper's  prayer." 


MATTHEW.  237 


The  Leper''s  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  viii. 

2  And,  behold,  there  came  a  leper  and  worshiped  him,  say- 
ing,  Lord,  if  thou  wilt,  thou  canst  make  me  clean. 

The  Lord^s  Ansiver. — Matthew  viii. 

3  And  Jesus  put  forth  his  hand,  and  touched  him,  saying, 
I  will ;  be  thou  clean.  And  immediately  his  leprosy  was 
cleansed. 


PRAYER  OF  THE  CENTURION. 

It  is  with  feelings  of  peculiar  interest  we  review 
the  petition  of  this  Eoman  soldier,  for  we  regard 
him  as  the  first  Gentile  convert  to  the  religion  and 
faith  of  Jesus.  Endowed  with  authority  in  the 
army,  the  mere  expressing  of  his  will  producing 
obedience,  he  comes  to  the  meek  and  lowly  Saviour 
to  ask  his  blessing.  He  does  not  at  this  time  crave 
it  for  himself — he  comes  for  another.  The  boon  he 
seeks  is  for  one  lying  in  sickness  in  his  dwelling. 
He  is  deeply  sensible  of  his  own  un worthiness,  and 
his  heart  is  full  of  that  he^Lven-born  virtue,  humility, 
which  ever  becometli  man  in  his  converse  with  his 
Creator.  Well  might  the  Saviour  call  his  faith  the 
greatest  he  had  seen,  even  in  Israel.  There  were 
many  alluring  temptations  in  his  position  to  fill  his 
soul  with  pride,  for  his  path  in  life  was  one  of 
worldly  honor  and  distinction.     Safe  in  the  midst  of 


^ 


238  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

the  world's  false  lights,  this  Eoman  officer  is  shielded, 
for  he  hath  the  breastplate  of  righteousness  ever 
raised  between  his  heart  and  the  world.  Such  faith 
cannot  be  shaken.  The  poor  sick  servant  in  his 
dwelling  is  to  him  an  object  of  interest,  and  in  love 
and  faith  he  brings  him  to  the  "  Healer."  And  have 
you,  reader,  no  "sick  servant,"  no  "diseased  soul," 
among  those  whom  your  heart  loves,  for  whom  you 
too  may  seek  the  "  Healer  ?"  Is  there  not  one  lying 
"  sick  "  in  your  dwelling  whose  malady  you  have 
never  once  remembered  at  the  mercy  seat?  Are 
you  a  "  soldier  of  the  cross,"  a  follower  of  the  Lamb, 
and  will  you  put  up  no  plea  for  the  sin-sick  around 
you? 

"  Man  was  made  to  wrestle,  not  to  reign,"  to  plead 
for  others  as  well  as  for  himself,  to  remember  the 
poor  and  desolate,  the  untaught  and  forsaken,  the 
sick  and  the  dying,  and  the  Christian's  prayer  takes 
in  the  world ;  it  is  full  of  that  faith  so  strikingly 
manifested  by  the  Centurion  in  his  appeal  to  the 
Saviour. 

The  Centurioii's  Prayer. — Matthew  viii. 

5  And  when  Jesus  was  entered  into  Capernaum,  there  came 
unto  him  a  centurion,  beseeching  him, 

6  And  saying,  Lord,  my  servant  lietli  at  home  sick  of  the 
palsy,  grievously  tormented. 

The  LorcTs  Answer. — Matthew  viii. 

7  And  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  will  come  and  ileal  hira. 


MATTHEW.  239 


The  Centurion  still  prays. — Matthew  viii. 

8  The  centurion  answered  and  said,  Lord,  I  am  not  worthy 
that  thou  shouldest  come  under  my  roof:  but  speak  the  word 
only,  and  my  servant  shall  be  healed. 

9  For  T  am  a  man  under  authority,  having  soldiers  under  me : 
and  I  say  to  this  man,  Go,  and  he  goeth :  and  to  another,  Come, 
and  he  cometh ;  and  to  my  servant,  Do  this,  and  he  doeth  it. 

The  LorcVs  Answer. — Matthew  viii. 

10  When  Jesus  heard  it,  he  marveled,  and  said  to  them  that 
followed,  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  I  have  not  found  so  great  faith, 
no,  not  in  Israel. 

1 1  And  I  say  unto  you.  That  many  shall  come  from  the  east 
and  west,  and  shall  sit  down  with  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Ja^ 
cob,  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 

12  But  the  children  of  the  kingdom  shall  be  cast  out  into 
outer  darkness:  there  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth. 

13  And  Jesus  saii  unto  the  centurion.  Go  thy  way;  and  as 
thou  hast  believed,  so  be  it  done  unto  thee.  And  his  servant 
was  healed  in  the  selfsame  hour. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  DISCIPLES  IN  THE  STORM. 

Above  the  noise  of  the  tempest,  and  sounding 
over  the  waves  of  the  troubled  Sea  of  Tiberias, 
comes  the  wail  of  the  terror-stricken  disciples. 

Fear  is  within  the  tossing  bark, 

The  stormy  -winds  grow  loud, 

And  waves  come  rolling  high  and  dark, 

And  the  frail  mast  is  bowed. 


1 


240  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

In  that  open  vessel  the  Saviour  of  the  world  lies 
quietly  sleeping.  He,  of  whom  the  holy  man  has 
said  "the  sea  is  his  and  he  made  it,"  is  not  disturbed 
by  the  tempest,  or  wakened  by  the  waves.  To  the 
voice  of  prayer  his  ear  is  opened,  and  he  is  ready 
to  listen  when  his  alarmed  disciples  cry.  He  gently 
rebukes  their  want  of  faith,  quiets  their  alarm, 

"And  slumber  settles  on  the  deep, 
And  silence  on  the  blast ; 
As  when  the  righteous  falls  aslet^p, 
When  death's  fierce  throes  are  past." 

And  are  we  not  all  tossed  by  the  waves  of  the 
stormy  sea  of  life  ?  are  we  not  in  great  danger  if 
Christ  is  not  at  the  helm  to  rebuke  the  raging  bil- 
lows? Lord,  as  he  is,  of  the  elements,  so  that  he 
bringeth  the  wind  out  of  his  treasures,  and  causeth 
the  waters  of  the  sea  to  roll  ca]ml3'-  on  in  their  chan- 
nel, so  he  will  bring  repose  to  the  tempest-tossed 
soul,  when  the  waves  are  the  highest.  We  are 
taught  by  this  rebuke  to  the  disciples  that  Christ 
would  have  our  faith  grow  stronger,  our  trust  firmer, 
though  heavy  clouds  are  round  about  us,  and  we 
see  no  light.  There  is  one  that  will  break  awaj^  these 
clouds,  and  shoAV  you  far  in  the  distance  a  port  of 
peace  and  safety — a  home  of  light  and  love, 

"  Th  jugh  rucks  and  quicksands  deep 
Through  all  our  passage  lie, 
Yet  thou  wilt  safely  keep, 
And  guide  us  with  thine  eye." 


MATTHEW.  241 


The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  viii. 

23  And  when  he  was  entered  into  a  ship,  his  disciples  fol- 
lowed hira. 

24  And,  behold,  there  arose  a  great  tempest  in  the  sea,  inso- 
much that  the  ship  was  covered  with  the  waves :  but  he  was 
asleep. 

25  And  his  disciples  came  to  him,  and  awoke  him,  saying, 
Lord,  save  us ;  we  perish. 

The  Lord''s  Answer. — Matthew  viii, 

26  And  he  saith  unto  them.  Why  are  ye  fearful,  O  ye  of  lit- 
tle taith  ?  Then  he  arose,  and  rebuked  tlie  winds  and  the  sea: 
and  there  was  a  great  calm. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  JAIRUS. 

Come  witli  us,  reader,  for  earth  is  full  of  such 
scenes  of  sorrow.  Death,  with  its  dark  wing,  is 
hovering  in  that  chamber  of  luxury  and  beauty, 
there  are  tears  in  that  stern  ruler's  eyes,  for  he  weeps 
by  the  bedside  of  a  loved  and  cherished  one.  "Wealth 
with  its  thousand  resources  in  that  dark  hour  cannot 
soothe  one  pang,  or  lessen  the  grief  in  that  father's 
heart. 

"  0 !   earth  ye  have  no  sorrow, 
So  withering  or  so  deep 
As  that  within  tlie  hearts  of  those 
Who  o'er  the  child  must  weep ; 


242  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

When  love  so  strong  and  deathless, 
From  the  fountain  is  unsealed, 
There  is  naught  in  all  this  hollow  world 
Can  aught  of  comfort  yield." 

The  spoiler  is  fast  setting  his  seal  of  silence  on 
those  pallid  lips,  and  even  while  the  death  damps 
are  gathering  on  the  brow,  there  is  a  ray  of  light 
and  hope  that  beams  in  on  the  dark  heart  of  the 
ruler,  "there  is  a  mercy  seat"  where  prayer  may  be 
made,  there  is  a  balm  in  Gilead — a  great  physician 
there.  Feeble  as  was  the  ruler's  faith,  it  led  him  to 
the  Saviour.  He  can  change  the  ''  minstrel's  mourn- 
ful requiem  to  hymns  of  gladness,"  and  stay  the 
flitting  breath  of  the  dying.  Sorrow  deep  and  heavy 
God  often  brings  on  his  children,  to  bow  the  proud 
head  and  bend  the  stiffened  knee  in  prayer.  The 
gentle  teachings  that  are  everywhere  breathing  a 
lesson  of  God's  omnipotence,  may  and  do  often  fall 
unheeded  on  the  ear,  and  man  may  be  as  hard  and 
unbelieving  as  though  there  were  no  God,  and  he 
were  not  immortal ;  but  when  from  stout  hearts  the 
mighty  Euler  uproots  affections  which  have  twined 
into  their  very  core,  when  he  changeth  the  counte- 
nance of  the  loved  one,  and  "sendeth  it  away," 
must  it  not  bring  the  soul  to  a  recognition  of  an 
Almighty  will.  There  are  few  even  among  the 
most  doubting  who  can  lay  the  form  of  a  child  in 
the  cold,  dark  earth,  without  a  prayer,  and  as  we 
I  ook  upward  in  faith,  be  the  spark  ever  so  feeble, 


MATTHEW.  243 


our  Father  in  heaven  will  see  it ;  in  the  hour  of 
loneliness  he  will  whisper  to  our  spirits — "  She  is  not 
dead  but  sleepeth." 

"  The  Saviour  raised 
Her  hand  from  off  her  bosom,  and  spread  out 
The  stiffened  fingers  in  his  palm  and  said : 
Maiden,  arise !  and  suddenly  a  flush 
Shot  o'er  her  forehead,  and  along  her  lips, 
And  through  her  cheek,  the  rallied  color  ran, 
And  the  still  outline  of  the  cherished  form 
Stirred  in  the  linen  vesture,  and  she  clasped 
The  Saviour's  hand,  and  fixing  her  dark  eyes 
Full  on  his  heavenly  face,  arose." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  ix. 

18  While  he  spake  these  things  unto  them,  behold,  there 
came  a  certain  ruler,  and  worshiped  him,  saying,  My  daughter 
is  even  now  dead :  but  come  and  lay  thy  hand  upon  her,  and  she 

,  shall  live. 

19  And  Jesus  arose,  and  followed  him,  and  so  did  his  disci- 
ples. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Matthew  ix. 

23  And  when  Jesus  came  into  the  ruler's  house,  and  saw  the 
minstrels  and  the  people  making  a  noise, 

24  He  said  unto  them,  Give  place:  for  the  maid  is  not  dead, 
but  sleepeth.     And  they  laughed  him  to  scorn. 

25  But  when  the  people  were  put  forth,  he  went  in,  and  took 
her  by  the  hand,  and  the  maid  arose. 


244  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 


THE  SILENT  PRAYER  OF  FAITH. 

On  liis  way  to  the  house  of  the  ruler  Jairus,  our 
Saviour  was  followed  by  a  pressing  crowd,  but 
his  sacred  foosteps  are  arrested,  and  a  cry  that  no 
human  ear  might  hear  enters  his  heart.  It  is  the 
silent  breathing  of  the  spirit  of  a  sick  and  lonely 
one.  She  dares  not  attract  the  passing  multitude ; 
the  world  will  turn  coldly  iipon  her,  and  cannot 
satisfy  her  want.  Conscious  of  her  need  and  the 
Saviour's  power,  if  she  "  can  but  touch  the  hem  of 
his  garment  "  she  may  be  healed ;  but  will  he  turn 
aside  from  his  errand  to  the  ruler's  dwelling,  to 
notice  or  listen  to  this  lonely  one?  Hers  though 
silent  was  a  prayer  of  holier,  humbler,  deeper  faith, 
than  that  of  the  ruler,  and  our  Saviour's  halting 
footsteps,  methinks,  were  to  sow  precious  seed  in 
the  hearts  of  the  witnessing  multitude,  and  teach  us 
a  lesson  which  each  of  us  should  treasure.  Humility 
raises  the  soul  from  the  dust,  and  brings  it  into  con- 
tact with  the  spirit  of  the  Saviour. 

"  Though  no  sweet  hymn  ascended, 
No  murmur  of  prayer, 
Yet  He  knew  that  the  spirit 
Of  worship  was  there." 

He  saw  that  this  humble  one  had  fled  from  every 
other  hope  and  trusted  in  him  alone  to  heal  her  in- 
firmity ;  he  turns  aside  to  listen  to  and  answer  he^ 


MATTHEW.  245 


silent   prayer.      God  knows  the   heart;    its   secret 
wishes,  its  earnest  desires  cannot  be  hidden  from 
that  eye  that  never  slumbers  or  sleeps.     The  lowli- 
est and  most  obscure  of  earth's  children  may  hold 
as  high  and  sweet  communion  with  God  as  the  most 
lofty  and  elevated.    The  moment  a  sinner  will  trust 
as  this  woman  trusted  salvation  is  his ;  he  has  only 
to  touch  the  hem  of  the  robe  of  righteousness,  and 
his  pollution  and  infirmity  are  gone.     The  "  multi- 
tude" cannot  keep  us  from  the  observation  of  the 
Saviour ;  he  knows  all  our  wants,  he  remembereth 
our  frame  and  he  knoweth  we  are  but  dust.     Do  w&- 
fear  to  kneel  at  his  mercy-seat  ?    Have  we  no  Avords 
to  express  the  anxious  desire  to  become  a  Chri.^tian, 
to  be  healed  of  the  infirmity  which  has  been  in  our 
hearts  for  many  long  years  ?    We  have  only  to  read 
of  this  Avoman's  silent  prayer. 

"  Prayer  is  the  soul's  sincere  desire, 
Unuttered  or  expressed, 
The  motion  of  a  hidden  fire 
That  trembles  in  the  breast. 

"  Prayer  is  the  burden  of  a  sigh, 
The  falling  of  a  tear, 
The  upward  glancing  of  an  eye 
"When  cone  but  God  is  near." 

The  Silent  Prayer  of  Faith. — Matthew  ix. 

20  And,  behold,  a  woman,  which  was  diseased  with  an  issue 
of  blood  twelve  years,  catue  behind  him,  and  touched  the  hem 
of  his  garment : 


246  THE    PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

21  For  she  said  within  herself,  If  I  may  but  touch  his  gar- 
ment, I  shall  be  whole. 

The  LorcVs  Ayisiver. — Matthew  ix. 

22  But  Jesus  turned  hiui  about,  and  wlien  he  saw  her,  he 
said,  Daughter,  be  of  good  corufort ;  thy  faith  hath  made  thee 
whole.     And  the  woman  was  made  whole  from  that  hour. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  TWO  BLIND  MEN. 

Our  Saviour  on  his  return  from  the  ruler's  house, 
is  met  by  two  afflicted  ones.  Thej  are  blind ;  the 
"world  with  all  its  varied  scenes  is  shut  out  from 
their  view ;  they  cannot  even  gaze  on  the  blessed 
form  of  Jesus,  in  whom  is  centered  all  their  hope. 
Though  all  is  dark  outwardly  faith  is  shining  clear 
and  bright  in  their  hearts;  Jesus  is  to  them  the 
"  Son  of  David,"  the  promised  Saviour,  the  King  of 
Israel ;  they  have  come  in  blindness  and  in  sorrow 
to  seek  him,  for  they  know  he  will  restore  them. 
The  prophets  had  predicted  many  times  that  the 
Saviour  would  perform  the  miracle  of  unsealing 
the  eyes  of  the  blind,  and  this  is  the  first  recorded 
fulfillment  of  the  prophecy.  Our  Lord  had  given 
repeated  proofs  of  his  power  to  the  "  multitude," 
and,  as  if  satisfied  for  the  present,  goes  away  from 
the  crowd  to  the  house  of  Andrew  or  Peter,  and 
would  then  quietly  draw  from  these  blind  men  the 


MATTHEW.  247 


confession  of  their  faith.  It  is  evident  they  had 
a  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  believed  the 
Saviour  could  open  their  eyes,  and  would  answer 
prayer.  Oh  that  the  blinded  and  deluded  around 
us  would  follow  their  example  and  offer  their  prayer. 
God  alone  can  perform  the  miracle  of  opening  the 
eyes  of  the  spiritually  blind.  As  our  Saviour  was 
the  only  one  who  had  ever  performed  the  miracle 
recorded  in  connection  with  this  prayer,  so  can  they 
who  are  blind  in  sin  be  restored  only  by  Him.  He 
hath  said,  "He  that  folio weth  after  me  shall  not 
walk  in  darkness,  but  shall  have  the  light  of  life," 
and  he  is  ever  ready  to  fulfill  this  gracious  promise. 
The  moral  light  which  beams  in  on  the  soul  of  the 
once  blinded  is  but  the  reflected  light  of  heaven.  It 
is  drawn  there  by  the  earnest  petition,  the  sincere 
desire,  and  such  was  the  prayer  of  "these  blind 
men,"  The  more  earnest  we  are,  the  brighter  the 
light  beaming  into  the  soul ;  our  eyes  are  opened, 
and  prayer  illuminates  the  darkened,  understanding 
with  a  halo  of  glory.  The  convicted  sinner  ex- 
claims, "  Once  I  was  blind,  but  now  I  see ;"  once 
with  my  soul  it  was 

"  0  dark,  dark,  dark,  amid  the  blaze  of  noon ; 
Irrevocably  dark  !  total  eclipse ;" 

but  day  has  dawned,  and  hope  and  faith  have  led 
me  to  the  mercy-seat ;  there  is  no  film  before  my 
moral  vision ;  the  eyes  of  my  soul  look  over  the 


248  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

thorny  and  rugged  places  of  this  wilderness,  for  be- 
yond I  see  "  the  King  in  his  beauty,  and  a  place 
where  is  no  darkness,  for  there  is  no  night  there, 
where  they  need  no  candle,  neither  light  of  the  sun, 
for  the  Lord  God  giveth  them  light." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  ix. 

27  And  when  Jesus  departed  thence,  two  blind  men  f  1- 
lowed  him,  crying,  and  saying,  Thou  son  of  David,  have  mercy 
on  us. 

28  And  when  he  was  come  into  the  house,  the  blind  men 
came  to  him :  and  Jesus  saith  unto  them.  Believe  ye  that  I  am 
able  to  do  this  ?     They  said  unto  him.  Yea,  Lord. 

The  Lo)-d^s  Answer. — Matthew  ix. 

29  Then  touchnd  he  their  eyes,  saying,  According  to  your 
faith  be  it  unto  you. 

30  And  their  eyes  were  opened ;  and  Jesus  straitly  charged 
them,  saying.  See  that  no  man  know  it. 


A  PRAYER  OF  OUR  BLESSED  LORD. 

It  is  when  our  Saviour  prays  that  every  Christian 
heart  is  drawn  closely  to  him.  We  feel  he  is  "  our 
elder  brother,"  and  we  walk  in  the  "way  of  the 
mercy-seat,"  following  where  his  precious  footsteps 
have  led  us,  to  seek  comfort  and  blessing,  strength 
and  light.  Oh!  when  we  weep  over  discourage- 
ments and  murmur  at  disappointments,  we  forget 


MATTHEW.  249 


the  Saviour  prayed  ;  when  our  path  in  life  seems  so 
dark  we  can  see  no  "silver  lining"  to  the  clouds 
that  thickly  gather,  we  forget  the  Saviour  prayed ; 
but  it  is  that  we  might  not  forget  this  that  we  see 
the  Son  of  God  looking  upward  while  wandering 
upon  this  desert  waste.  Oh  !  does  not  the  privilege 
grow  dearer  to  our  souls  when  we  think  of  this? 
The  prayer  which  we  notice  at  present  reveals  the 
wonderful  truth  that  God's  spirit  dwells  in  the  heart 
of  the  true  Christian.  This  our  Saviour  tells  us 
himself  in  the  prayer.  We  have  divine  testimony 
of  a  truth  whose  simplicity  the  Avisdom  of  earth 
cannot  fathom,  and  yet  whose  power  the  simplest, 
most  unlettered  child  of  God  may  comprehend  and 
feel.  He  attempts  not  to  explain  this  great  truth, 
but  simply  tells  of  it,  and  resolves  it  all  into  the 
will  of  "our  Father  in  heaven."  We  have  it  from 
our  Saviour's  lips,  recorded  in  the  word  of  life  in 
characters  of  living  fire,  sacred  to  all  v/ho  believe 

"  To  the  humble  disciple  it  is  bread,  but  a  stone  to  the  proud  and 

unbelieving, 
A  scorner  shall  find  nothing  but  the  husks  wherewith  to  feed  his 

hunger ; 
But  for  the  soul  of  the  simple  it  is  full  of  plenty  and  ripe  wheat ; 
Religion  taketh  by  the  hand  the  humble  pupil  of  repentance. 
And  teacheth  him  lessons  of  mystery ; 
Solving  the  questions  of  doubt. 
She  maketh  man  worthy  of  himself. 
Of  his  high  prerogative  of  reason, 
Threadeth  all  the  labyrinths  of  thought, 
And  leadeth  him  to  his  God." 


250  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

A  Prayer  of  our  Blessed  Lord. — Matthew  xi. 

25  At  that  time  Jesus  answered  and  said,  I  thank  thee,  O 
Father,  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  because  thou  hast  hid  these 
thinors  from  the  wise  and  prudent,  and  hast  revealed  them  unto 
babes. 

26  Even  so.  Father:  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  PETER. 

If  there  are  any  wlio  feel  confident  that  nothing 
can  disturb  their  faith,  learn  from  the  prayer  of  a 
man  devoted  to  the  Saviour,  excitable  in  tempera- 
ment, but  unacquainted  with  his  own  heart,  a  lesson ; 
learn  to  cast  your  all  upon  Christ,  for  in  time  of 
trial  your  faith  may  waver  like  Peter's,  and  unless 
your  Saviour  rescue  you,  you  may  sink  in  the  sea 
of  despair.  Alone  in  the  mountain,  our  Saviour 
had  been  engaged  in  prayer,  and  at  the  hour  of  sun- 
rise hastened  to  join  his  disciples,  whom  he  had 
sent  a  little  in  advance  of  him  in  a  ship.  It  was  a 
frail,  open  vessel,  and  exposed  to  the  fury  of  the 
waves,  for  the  winds  were  contrary.  But  a  cheer- 
ing, peaceful  voice  is  sounding  over  the  waters,  and 
a  form  of  light  and  love  is  treading  them  beneath 
his  feet.  It  is  a  voice  assuring  the  disciples  that 
help  is  nigh  at  hand,  and  that  the  Saviour  has  come 
to  rescue  them  ;  from  their  troubled  spirits  he  would 


MATTHEW.  251 


drive  away  all  fear,  and  bids  them  trust  in  him. 
Petei',  confident  in  his  faith,  and  trusting  in  it,  is 
upheld  for  a  time  as  the  waves  bear  him  towards 
the  Lord;  but  as  thej  dash  around  him  he  becomes 
fearful.  Then  comes  his  Avild  cry  for  help.  As  long 
as  his  faith  was  fixed  on  the  power  of  Christ  he  was 
firm  and  supported,  but  the  angry  billow  drew  him 
away,  and  he  began  to  sink.  He  knows,  however, 
though  the  storm  staggered  his  faith,  his  great  de- 
liverer is  near.  His  prayer  proves  that  Peter  knew 
where  his  safety  lay,  and  where  to  flee  in  time  of 
dans^er. 

Our  Saviour  bid  him  come  to  show  him  his  weak- 
ness, and  to  teach  every  humble  follower  of  his  since 
the  lesson,  that  would  we  walk  firmly  on  the  waves 
of  life's  troubled  ocean,  we  must  never  lose  sight  of 
the  Saviour,  or  become  deaf  to  the  declaration,  "It 
is  T,  be  not  afraid."  We  are  frail  beings,  tossed  and 
easily  overcome  by  the  billows,  but  if  God  is  our 
strength  we  need  not  fear ;  there  is  a  land  of  peace 
and  beauty  which  no  eye  hath  seen.  This  land  can 
only  be  reached  by  crossing  a  boisterous  sea.  If  the 
waves  of  sorrow  seem  about  to  engulf  you,  trust  in 
the  Saviour  to  sustain  you  ;  if  one  after  another  of 
those  you  love  fall  around  you,  and  you  are  in  dan- 
ger of  sinking  under  the  waters  of  affliction,  go  to 
Jesus ;  he  will  strengthen  you  that  you  may  stand 
upright  on  those  waters,  and  you  will  be  comforted 
by  the  truth  that  "  they  who  sleep  in  Jesus  will  God 


252  THE   PRAYEHS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

bring  with  him  "  Is  it  the  loss  of  property  which 
threatens  to  shake  your  dependence  on  the  Ahiiighty  ? 
hsten  to  the  voice  "It  is  I  " — in  heaven  is  a  more 
enduring  substance.  Is  it  broken  friendships,  the 
scattering  of  cherished  hopes,  the  failure  of  plans, 
which  "like  a  sea  of  trouble"  threatens  to  over- 
whelm you,  and  lead  you  to  forget  the  Saviour  ?  re- 
member your  "  light  afflictions  "  are  working  for  you 
a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory, 
and  after  battling  with  the  waves,  Christ  will  gently 
lead  you  to  a  heaven  of  rest — the  winds  will  cease, 
and  the  waves  stop  their  moaning,  for  you  will  have 
safely  walked  over  the  waters,  and  with  outstretched 
arms  your  Saviour  waits  with  the  joyful  words,  "  It 
is  I,  be  not  afraid. "  0  trust  not  in  your  own  strength, 
or  think  your  faith  too  strong  to  waver,  till  God  has 
tried  you  as  he  did  Peter. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  xiv. 

25  And  in  the  fourth  watch  of  the  night  Jesus  went  unto 
them,  walking  on  the  sea. 

26  And  when  the  disciples  saw  him  walking  on  the  sen,  they 
were  troubled,  saying,  It  is  a  spirit:  and  they  cried  out  fur  fear. 

27  But  straightway  Jesus  spake  unto  them,  saying,  Be  of  good 
cheer;  it  is  I;  be  not  afraid. 

28  And  Peter  answered  him  and  said.  Lord,  if  it  be  thou,  bid 
me  come  unto  thee  on  the  water. 

29  And  he  said,  Come.      And  when  Peter  w.ns  come  down 
out  of  the  ship,  he  walked  on  the  water,  to  go  to  Jesus. 

30  But  when  he  saw  the  wind  boisterous,  he  was  afraid ;  and 
beginning  to  sink,  he  cried,  saying.  Lord,  save  me. 


MATTHEW.  253 


The  Lord's  Answer. — Matthew  xiv. 

31  And  immediately  Jesus  stretched  forth  his  hand,  and 
caught  him,  and  said  unto  him,  O  thou  of  little  faith,  wherefore 
didst  thou  doubt? 

32  And  when  they  were  come  into  the  ship,  the  wind 
ceased. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  SYRO-PHCENTCIAN  WOMAN. 

Our  Saviour,  after  denouncing  the  Scribes  and 
giving  offence  to  them  by  exposing  their  delusions, 
retired  to  the  mos^  remote  part  of  the  land  in  the 
borders  of  Tyre  and  Sidon ;  but  his  fame  has  reach- 
ed this  quiet  place,  and  a  mother  a  descendant  of 
the  Canaanites,  a  remnant  of  whom  were  settled  in 
Tyre,  comes  to  him  with  a  prayer  for  her  afflicted 
and  diseased  child.  There  has  been  a  diversity  of 
opinion  as  to  the  precise  nature  of  the  malady; 
some  supposed  it  a  nervous  disease  like  epilepsy ; 
others  that  Satan  had  such  full  possession  of  the 
faculties  as  to  produce  a  state  of  mind  entirely  sub- 
servient to  his  will ;  but  whatever  it  was,  we  know 
it  was  the  cause  of  deep  grief  to  the  mother,  and  in- 
duced her  prayer  to  the  Saviour.  Filled  with  great 
desire  for  the  cure  of  her  child,  she  is  not  diverted 
from  her  purpose,  though  the  Saviour  apparently 
does  not  hear  her  first  petition;  he  is  trying  her 

12 


254  THE  PKAYEKS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

faitb,  as  lie  often  does  that  of  his  children  now,  and 
we  would  earnestly  beg  attention  to  the  importunate, 
resolute  manner  of  this  mother.  The  apparently 
strange  answer  of ,  our  Saviour  cannot  divert  her — 
she  is  determined.  Our  Lord's  answer  that  he  is 
sent  to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel  refers 
to  her  Gentile  origin.  The  Jews  frequently  called 
them  dogs.  Satisfied  that  he  was  the  Son  of  David, 
the  Messiah  who  was  to  come,  she  is  sure  he  has  the 
power  of  casting  out  devils,  and  is  therefore  con- 
vinced if  she  perseveres  he  will  hear  and  answer 
her.  O  learn  from  her  to  be  earnest ;  though  God 
delay  the  answer  to  our  prayer,  learn  from  this  wo- 
man to  persevere. 

"  There  are  God  and  heaven  above  thee — 
Wilt  thou  languish  in  despair  ? 
Tread  thy  woes  beneath  thy  feet — 
Scale  the  walls  of  heaven  with  prayer." 

Be  anxious  to  obtain  a  blessing ;  ask  often,  and 
do  not  weary.  As  God  heard  this  mother  so  will 
he  hear  you.  "His  arm  is  not  shortened  that  he 
cannot  save,  nor  his  ear  heavy  that  he  cannot  hear." 
However  great  the  boon  you  crave  you  will  receive 
it,  if  you  ask  believingly  and  importunately. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  xv. 

21  Then  Jesus  went  thence,  and  departed  into  the  coasts  of 
Tyre  and  Sidon. 

22  And,  behold,  a  woman  of  Canaan  came  out  of  the  same 


MATTHEW.  255 


coasts,  and  cried  unto  him,  saying,  Have  mercy  on  me,  O  Lord, 
thou  son  of  David;  my  daughter  is  grievously  vexed  with  a 
devil. 

23  But  he  answered  her  not  a  word.  And  his  disciples  came 
and  besought  him,  saying.  Send  her  away ;  for  she  crieth  after 
us. 

24  But  he  answered  and  said,  I  am  not  sent  but  unto  the  lost 
sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

25  Then  came  she  and  worshiped  him,  saying.  Lord,  help 
me. 

26  But  he  answered  and  said.  It  is  not  meet  to  take  the  chil- 
dren's bread,  and  to  cast  it  to  dogs. 

27  And  she  said.  Truth,  Lord:  yet  the  dogs  eat  of  the 
crumbs  which  fall  from  their  masters'  table. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Matthew  xy, 

28  Then  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  her,  O  woman,  great 
is  thy  faith :  be  it  unto  thee  even  as  thou  wilt.  And  her  daugh- 
ter was  made  whole  from  that  very  hour. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  A  MOTHER  FOR  HER  SONS. 

There  is  a  dream  of  ambition  in  that  mother's 
heart  as,  with  her  sons,  James  and  John,  she  comes 
to  the  Saviour.  Her  petition  is  full  of  worldly- 
ambition.  She  asks  for  a  high  seat  for  her  sons 
among  the  wealthy  and  powerful  of  earth's  children. 
And  what  mother,  as  she  reads  this,  will  not  say — 
I,  too,  have  made  this  prayer.  Let  them  read  it 
carefully,  with  its  connection  and  circumstances,  as 


256  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

well  as  the  rebuking  answer  of  our  precious  Lord, 
for  it  will  teach  a  lesson  that  involves  the  eternal 
happiness  of  those  so  near  and  dear  to  them.     This 
mother  thought,  with  many  others,  that  our  Saviour's 
reign  on  earth  would  be  one  of  worldly  triumph,  of 
pomp  and  power,  and  with  a  heart  filled  with  pride 
would  exalt  her  sons  to  a  high  seat  in  Christ's  earthly 
kingdom.      Their  temporal  position  is  filling  her 
heart,  and  is  the  burden  of  her  prayer.    Our  Saviour 
mildly  rebukes  her,  and  gently  tells  her  she  knows 
not  what  she  is  asking.     And  does  not  this,  too, 
teach  us  how  short-si2;hted  and  feeble  is  our  knowl- 
edge  in  regard  to  our  own  best  interests  ?     When 
we  have  this  or  that  desire,  and  flee  to  the  great 
Giver,  should  we  not  say  "  Not  my  will  by  thine  be 
done  ?"     Attempt  not  to  make  out  your  own  path, 
for  you  will  stumble  on  many  a  dark  landing-place, 
when  all  seemed  light  before  you.     Mothers  dedi- 
cate your  little  ones  to  God,  guide  them  to  his  mercy- 
seat,  let  him  do  whatsoever  seemeth  good  in  his 
sight,  let  their  spiritual  interests  be  your  great  end 
in  training  them,  and  God  will  be  the  arbiter  of  their 
destiny,  both  for  time  and  eternity. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  xx. 

20  Then  came  to  him  the  mother  of  Zebedee's  children  with 
her  sons,  worshiping  him,  and  desiring  a  certain  thing  of  him. 

21  And  lie  said  unto  her,  What  wilt  thou?  She  salth  unto 
him,  Grant  that  these  my  two  sons  may  sit.  the  one  on  thy  right 
hand,  and  the  other  on  the  left,  in  thy  kingdom. 


MATTHEW.  257 


The  Lord''s  Ansiver. — Matthew  xx. 

22  But  Jesus  answered  and  said,  Ye  know  not  what  ye  ask. 
Are  ye  able  to  drink  of  the  cup  that  I  shall  drink  of,  and  to  be 
baptized  with  the  baptism  that  I  am  baptized  with  ?  They  say 
unto  him,  We  are  able. 

23  And  he  saith  unto  them,  Ye  shall  drink  indeed  of  my  cup, 
and  be  baptized  with  the  baptism  that  I  am  baptized  with :  but 
to  sit  on  my  right  hand,  and  on  my  left,  is  not  mine  to  give, 
but  it  shall  be  given  to  them  for  whom  it  is  prepared  of  my  Fa- 
ther. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  FIVE  FOOLISH  VIRGINS. 

The  short  prayer  contained  in  this  forcible  parable 
is  full  of  deep  meaning  and  vital  interest  to  every 
soul.  Ere  we  pass  it  by,  would  it  not  be  well  for  us 
to  examine  ourselves  as  to  which  class  we  belong — 
to  the  wise  or  the  foolish  ?  Have  we  oil  in  our 
lamps,  and  are  they  trimmed  and  burning,  or  are 
we  slumbering  in  darkness  ?  In  one  of  these  classes 
each  of  us  has  taken  his  position,  and  it  becomes  us 
to  see  what  answer  will  be  made  when  we  offer  the 
petition,  "  Lord  open  unto  us."  If  we  are  not  on 
the  side  of  the  wise,  in  vain  will  be  our  cry ;  if  we 
are  not  watching,  with  our  lamps  trimmed  and  burn- 
ing, we  will  find  no  entrance  into  the  kingdom  of 
our  blessed  Lord ;  but  we  have  a  promise,  sure  be- 
cause it  is  Jehovah's,  that  if  we  are  ready  we  may 


258  THE   PRAYEES   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

enter  in.  There  are  many  about  us  who  are  bearing 
their  lamps,  but  we  fear  they  are  empty.  In  igno- 
rance, it  may  be,  they  are  carrying  them  without 
oil,  and  they  are  neither  trimmed  nor  burning.  Some 
who  are  bearing  the  name  of  Christian,  some  who 
have  enlisted  under  the  "Captain  of  Salvation," 
but  who  are  resting  in  darkness,  shall  find  when 
they  reach  the  shadowy  valley  there  will  be  no  light 
to  guide  them  through  its  mazes — the  door  of  that 
city,  whose  builder  and  maker  is  God,  will  be  closed 
upon  them  forever.  Oh  !  how  earnestly  we  would 
plead  with  the  careless  to  look  at  and  ponder  over 
this  prayer,  -  There  is  a  deep  meaning  in  its  figura- 
tive language.  Let  every  Christian  weigh  well  this 
meaning ;  let  him  see  to  it  his  own  lamp  is  trimmed 
and  burning,  that  others,  seeing  his  light,  may  be 
led  to  the  path  which  he  has  chosen — a  path  of 
peace  and  righteousness,  and  one  that  leads  to 

"  That  land,  and  that  alone, 
Where  tears  are  all  forgotten, 
And  sorrow  is  unknown." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  xxv. 

11  Afterward  came  also  the  other  virgins,  saying,  Lord,  Lord, 
open  to  us. 

The  Lord''s  Answer. — Matthew  xxv. 

12  But  he  answered  and  said,  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  I  know 
you  not. 

IS  Watch  therefore,  for  ye  know  neither  the  day  nor  the 
hour  wherein  the  Son  of  man  cometh. 


MATTHEW.  259 


THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  DISCIPLES  AT  MEAT  WITH  OUR 
SAVIOUR. 

At  table  the  disciples  of  our  Saviour  are  seated. 
He  has  just  announced  a  sorrowful  truth  which  has 
left  its  impress  of  sadness  on  the  countenances  of 
each,  and  caused  the  short  and  earnest  prayer  now 
under  consideration.     Knowing  their  love  to  Jesus, 
as  he  announces  that  one  among  them  is  a  betrayer, 
they,  like  true  Christians,  examine  their  own  hearts ; 
they  would  be  satisfied  with  their  present  position ; 
and  as  the  united  prayer  is  made  to  Jesus,  there  is 
one  tongue  silent — it  is  that  of  the  betrayer.     As  if 
conscious  of  the  great  truth,  that  the  eyes  of  the 
Lord  are  upon  all,  and  that  nothing  can  be  conceal- 
ed, and  yet  to  deceive  the  disciples,  his  inquiry  is 
made  after  their  prayer.   Judas,  notwithstanding  his 
plausible  conduct,  was  a  hypocrite  and  a  dishonest 
man ;  sin  had  a  full  and  firm  possession  of  his  heart, 
and  Satan's  deep,  dark  teachings,  were  listened  to 
by  him  and  guided  him.     As  we  read  in  the  holy 
word  of  God,  his  sacred  will,  and  the  denunciations, 
so  deep  and  heavy  against  every  class  of  sinner,  oh 
let  us  go  to  Jesus  with  the  inquiry,  with  the  deep 
earnestness  of  prayer,  "  Lord,  is  it  I?"     Let  us  give 
no  rest  to  these  bodies  or  souls,  until  an  approving 
conscience  and  inward  feeling  of  sin  pardoned,  and 
peace  with  God  is  ours,  until  we  can  feel  our  Fa- 


260  THE  PKAYEKS   OP  THE  BIBLE. 

ther's  smile  is  on  us,  when  lie  whispers  to  our  spirits 
in  the  hour  of  prayer,  "  There  is  now  therefore,  no 
more  condemnation  to  them  who  are  in  Christ," 
"for  he  has  given  his  angels  charge  over  thee,  to 
keep  thee  in  all  thy  ways." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  xxvi. 

21  And  as  they  did  eat,  he  said,  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  that 
one  of  you  shall  betray  me. 

22  And  they  were  exceeding  sorrowful,  and  began  every  one 
of  them  to  say  unto  him,  Lord,  is  it  1? 

The  Lord''s  Answer. — Matthew  xxvi. 

23  And  he  answered  and  said,  He  that  (Jippeth  his  hand  with 
me  in  the  dish,  the  same  shall  betray  me. 

24  The  Son  of  man  goeth  as  it  is  written  of  him  :  but  wo 
unto  that  man  by  whom  the  Son  of  man  is  betrayed !  it  had 
been  good  for  that  man  if  he  had  not  been  born. 

25  Then  Judas,  which  betrayed  him,  answered  and  said. 
Master,  is  it  I  ? 

The  Lord's  Answer. 
25  He  said  unto  him,  Thou  hast  said. 


A  PRAYER  OF  OUR  SAVIOUR. 

Dr.  Chalmers  on  this  subject  says,  (and  we  prefer 
to  quote  the  words  of  this  sainted  man,)  "  I  know  I 
am  treading  on  the  confines  of  mystery ;  I  cannot 
tell  the  battle  our  Saviour  fought,  I  cannot  compute 


MATTHEW.  261 


the  terror  or  the  strength  of  his  enemies,  I  cannot 
say,  for  I  have  not  been  told,  how  it  was  that  thej 
stood  in  marshaled  and  hideous  array  against  him ; 
nor  can  I  measure  how  great  the  firm  daring  of  his 
soul,  when  he  tasted  that  cup  in  all  its  bitterness, 
which  he  prayed  might  pass  away  from  him ;  when 
with  the  feeling  that  he  was  forsaken  by  his  God, 
"he  trod  the  winepress  alone."  With  his  three  dis- 
ciples, Peter,  James,  and  John,  in  the  garden  of 
Gethsemane,  our  Saviour  is  exceeding  sorrowful  in 
view  of  his  sufferings  and  death.  Oh  the  deep 
mystery  of  those  tears — the  mystery  of  those  pray- 
ers !  Could  nothing  else  but  these,  O  man,  lift  up 
thy  ruined,  withered  soul  to  heaven  ?  Could  nothing 
but  the  groan,  the  sigh,  the  agony,  of  God's  only 
Son,  restore  thee  to  his  love  and  favor  ?  Let  us  not 
dare  to  tread  where  an  angel's  desire  may  not  be 
gratified,  but  listen  in  awe,  and  reverence  to  the 
Saviour's  prayer. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  xxvi. 

39  And  he  went  a  little  farther,  and  fell  on  his  face,  and 
prayed,  saying,  O  my  Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let  this  cup  pass 
from  me  :  nevertheless  not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt. 

42  He  went  away  again  the  second  time,  and  prayed,  saying, 
O  my  Father,  if  this  cup  may  not  pass  away  from  me,  except  I 
drink  it,  thy  will  be  done. 

The  Answer. — Luke  xxii.  43. 

43  And  there  appeared  an  angel  unto  him  from  heaven, 
strengthening  him. 


262  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

"  It  paased  not,  though  the  stormy  wave 

Had  sunk  beneath  his  tread  ; 
It  passed  not,  though  to  Him  the  grave 

Had  yielded  up  its  dead. 
But  there  was  sent  him  from  on  high 

A  gift  of  strength  for  man  to  die. 
And  was  his  mortal  hour  beset 

With  anguish  and  dismay  ? 
How  may  we  meet  our  conflict  yet, 

In  the  dark  narrow  way  ? 
How  but  through  Him  that  path  who  trod  i 

'  Save  or  we  perish  I'  Son  of  God." 


PRAYER  OF  OUR  SAVIOUR  FROM  THE  CROSS. 

It  was  the  design  of  the  Atonement — deep  and 
unfathomable  though  the  mystery — that  our  blessed 
Lord  should  endure  all  that  was  possible  for  human 
nature  to  suffer,  both  spiritually  and  physically. 
In  the  touching  language  of  Isaiah,  "  He  bore  our 
griefs  and  carried  our  sorrows ;  he  was  wounded  for 
our  iniquities;  the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was 
laid  upon  him,  and  with  his  stripes  we  are  healed." 
Darkness  deep  and  heavy  brooded  over  the  earth  for 
the  space  of  three  hours.  "  During  the  time  the  dark- 
ness lasted,  our  Lord  appears  to  have  relapsed  into 
his  garden  agony.  It  seems  to  have  been  part  of 
the  Divine  plan,  that  he  should  again  labor  under 
the  hiding  of  the  Father's  face,  and  again  be  op- 
pressed by  the  consciousness  of  the  weight  and  bur- 


MATTHEW.  263 


den  of  that  sin  in  man  for  which  he  laid  down  his 
life."*  Terror  deep  and  heavy  is  in  the  hearts  of 
the  witnessing  multitude,  and  the  rending  rocks  and 
trembling  earth  proclaim,  that  if 

"  A  God  bleeds,  he  bleeds  not  for  a  worm." 

In  agony  the  depth  of  which  no  finite  mind  can 
fathom — for  it  was  the  wrath  of  God  on  millions 
concentrated  on  our  great  Saviour's  head — the  mys- 
terious prayer  is  made.  Angels  are  about  him  in 
that  hour,  but 

"  I  feel  the  farthest  stars 
Are  alL  stricken  and  shaken, 
And  I  know  a  shadow  sad  and  broad 
Doth  fall— doth  fall 
On  the  vacant  thrones  in  heaven. 
Voice  from  the  cross — My  God,  my  God, 
Why  hast  thou  me  forsaken  !" 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Matthew  xxvii. 

45  Now  from  the  sixth  hour  there  was  darkness  over  all  the 
land  unto  the  ninth  hour. 

46  And  about  the  ninth  hour  Jesus  cried  with  a  loud  voice, 
saying,  Eli,  Eli,  lama  sabachthani?  that  is  to  say,  My  God,  my 
God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ? 


Kitto. 


264  THE    PEAYEPS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 


PRAYER  OF  TEE  MAN  THAT  HAD  BEEN  POSSESSEI> 
WITH  A  DEVIL. 

Quieted  and  calmed  by  the  power  of  Jesus,  the 
once  diseased  but  now  healed  person  comes  to  our 
Lord  with   a  prayer.     Like  too  many,  he   would 
mark  out  a  line  of  duty  for  himself,  or  live  quietly 
on  in  the  presence  of  the  Saviour,  without  spreading 
the  good  news  of  his  remarkable  cure.     He  earnest- 
ly asks  to  be  admitted  into  the  ship  where  our 
Saviour   was ;  but  there  was  work  for  this  healed 
man  to  do.     "  He  was  born  to  wrestle  not  to  reign." 
He  was  to  lead  others  to  the  great  physician  who 
had  restored  him,  and  spread  abroad  the  wisdom; 
and  the  power  of  Jesus.     Tell,  O  Christian,  those 
who  are  going  on  in  carelessness,  what  God  hath 
done  for  you  ;  if  you  are  the  subjects  of  his  grace. 
This  is  not  your  place  of  rest ;  labor,  labor  still,  labor 
on  for  God.  You  have  a,  work  to  do  while  life  lasts ; 
that  night  is  coming  when  you  can  work  no  longer. 
Never  grow  weary  in  well  doing,  but  "sow  beside 
all  waters ;"  let  not  an  aching  wearied  heart  deter 
you,  for  in  sickness  you  can  work ;  your  sweet  and 
patient  example,  your  smile  of  submission,  may  lead 
some  disturbed  and  forsaken  soul  to  trust  in  the 
"  God  of  your  love."     In  health,  when  the  arm  is 
strong  and  the  intellect  vigorous,  you  can  work 
mightily  to  "  the  pulling  down  the  strongholds  of 


MARK.  265 

sin  and  Satan,"  prayer  will  strengthen  your  arm  for 
the  battle,  your  fingers  for  the  fight.  Then  too 
there  is  a  field  in  which  every  Christian  must  serve 
a  severe  warfare,  in  the  silent,  secret  world  within 
him,  that  others  may  see  the  kingdom  of  God  that 
Cometh  not  witji  observation  is  indeed  set  up  there. 
Is  it  not  labor  to  struggle  and  strive  against  the  re- 
bellious thoughts,  the  sinful  desires,  the  wicked  im- 
pulses, which  make  their  way  in  every  breast,  and 
yet  this  is  your  labor,  which  is  indeed  in  vain,  if 
your  prayer  for  strength  goes  not  up  with  it.  He 
that  ruleth  his  spirit  is  better  than  he  that  taketh  a 
city,  and  it  is  only  he  that  can  work  for  God  who 
can  govern  himself — a  government  which  can  only 
be  accomplished  by  much  and  earnest  prayer.  Let 
God  guide  you  in  your  requests,  place  yourself  in 
his  hands,  commend  yourselves  to  him,  that  you 
may  show  to  others,  as  well  as  feel  yourself,  the 
good  he  hath  done  for  your  soul. '  Oh,  we  fear  there 
are  many  who  are  entering  the  ship  where  Christ  is, 
thinking  to  rest  in  the  light  of  his  presence,  without 
working  for  the  advancement  of  his  cause  and  king- 
dom in  the  world.     Such  have  forgotten  to  pray — 

"  Father  above,  in  tender  mercy  look 
On  U3  thy  children.    Through  the  o'ershadowing  clou  d 
Of  sorrow  and  mortality  send  aid. 
Save,  or  we  perish.     We  would  pour  our  lives 
Forth,  as  a  joyous  offering  to  thy  truth  ; 
But  we  are  weak.     We,  the  bruised  reeds  of  earth, 
Are  swayed  by  every  gust." 


266  THE  PRAYEES  OJ'  THE  BIBLE. 

But  prayer  will  make  us  strong ;  prayer  will  fill  our 
hearts  with  an  energy  which  God  alone  can  give, 
and  which  he  requires  of  every  created  being.  There 
is  a  nice  distinction,  and  one  which  God  makes,  be* 
tween  the  religion  of  action  and  the  religion  of  sen- 
timent. There  are  many  who  love  the  beautiful  in 
religion,  whose  tears  flow  freely  at  the  tale  of  wo, 
whose  hearts  are  trained  to  the  emotions  of  be« 
nevolence,  but  the  sympathy  of  such  a  one  is 
quicker  to  be  spoken  of  than  acted  upon.  His 
sensibilities  are  easily  disgusted,  and  he  is  careful 
his  field  of  action  shall  never  lead  him  beyond  what 
is  refined  and  of  good  report.  We  speak  of  this 
class  at  present  because  the  world  is  full  of  just  such 
persons ;  there  are  so  few  who  have  professed  to  be 
the  followers  of  Christ  who  are  living  religously, 
according  to  the  rules  laid  down- in  the  inspired  vol- 
ume. Eeligion  is  not  in  word  and  in  tongue  only, 
but  in  deed  and  in  truth  ;  not  mere  feeling,  but  prin- 
ciple ;  not  some  mysterious  change,  which  at  some 
time  may  have  raised  you  to  the  seventh  heaven  of 
rapture,  to  let  you  fall  deeper  into  the  depths  of 
sloth  and  inactivity  :  no,  the  "change  of  heart,  the 
new  birth,"  wakens  every  nerve  into  activity  in  the 
service  of  God.  You  must,  in  the  language  of  Chal- 
mers, "go  to  the  poor  man's  cottage,  though  no  ver- 
dure flourish  around  it,  and  no  rivulet  be  nigh  to 
delight  you  with  the  gentleness  of  its  murmurs." 
There  is  a  feeling  in  the  hearts  of  many,  which 


MARK.  267 

steals  upon  them  under  tlie  semblance  of  virtue ;  it 
is  supported  by  the  delusive  coloring  of  imagination 
and  poetry ;  it  has  all  the  graces  of  literature  to  re* 
commend  it;  yet  by  it  vanity  is  soothed,  and  con* 
science  lulled  to  repose.  Oh,  beware !  it  is  nothing 
else  but  a  "dream  of  feeling."  "Go  home  to  thy 
friends,"  every  human  being,  the  poor,  the  blind, 
the  wretched,  the  loathsome ;  the  black  and  the 
white  are  all  included  in  the  class,  and  methinks  as 
these  words  came  from  the  Saviour's  lips,  in  answer 
to  the  healed  man's  prayer,  there  was  a  depth  of 
meaning,  which  should  fill  our  hearts  with  love  to 
every  human  soul,  which  would  lead  us  in  very 
truth  to  tell  all  and  every  one  how  great  compassion 
the  Lord  hath  shown  to  us. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Mark  r. 

18  And  when  he  was  come  into  the  ship,  he  that  had  been 
possessed  with  the  devil  prayed  him  that  he  might  be  with  him. 

The  Lordh  Ansiver. — Mark  v. 

19  Howbeit  Jesus  suifered  him  not,  but  saith  unto  him,  Go 
home  to  thy  friends,  and  tell  them  how  great  things  the  Lord 
hath  done  for  thee,  and  hath  had  compassion  on  thee. 


268  THE   PRAYEES  OF  THE   BIBLE. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  MARY.  THE  MOTHER  OF  OUR 
SAVIOUR. 

As  a  part  of  the  mysterious  work  of  redemption, 
a  part  of  the  grand,  the  awtul  and  merciful  plan  of 
salvation,  the  mother  of  our  olessed  Lord  was  chosen 
from  the  humblest  of  earth's  cnildren  to  become  the 
"blessedest  of  women;"  lowliest,  but  most  glorified 
— chosen  of  heaven  to  guard  with  her  love  and  care 
the  helpless  infancy  of  the  Eedeemer.  Oh,  mystery ! 
deep  and  strange, 

"  Mother,  tears  were  mingled 
With  thy  costly  blood-drops, 
In  the  shadow  of  the  atoning  cross." 

And  the  Saviour,  the  Captain  of  our  salvation, 
the  Judge  of  the  world,  the  Son  of  God  himself, 
was  "born  of  a  virgin;"  his  mother,  "Mary,  the 
poor  maiden  of  Nazareth,"  This  prayer,  or  rather 
hymn,  is  full  of  poetry  as  well  as  piety  and  thank- 
fulness for  God's  mercy  in  thus  choosing  her  from 
among  women  to  be  the  mother  of  the  Saviour.  A 
sweet  strain  in  it  refers  to  her  ancestors,  and  that 
battle  between  Saul  and  David,  when  the  "  slight 
stripling  of  the  mountain-fold "  displaced  and  took 
the  throne  of  the  proud  monarch.  It  was  because 
the  Lord  had  regarded  her  low  estate,  it  was  because 
"  He  that  is  mighty  hath  done  to  me  great  things, 
and  holy  is  his  name."     It  was  all  the  Lord's  doing, 


MAEK.  269 

marvelous  in  her  eyes,  and  to  him  she  gives  all  the 
glory.  There  are  no  reflections  in  her  own  mind 
as  to  the  cause  of  this  great  distinction ;  had  there 
been,  she  would  have  shown  herself  unworthy.  Her 
thoughts  go  out  from  herself,  and  what  he  has  done 
for  her  engages  her  soul.  ''  It  is  not  in  me,  but  it  is 
in  thee,"  is  the  bujden  of  all  her  reflections.  Her- 
self a  sinner,  her  mind  contemplates  the  great  bene- 
fit conferred  on  a  ruined  world,  aud  she  rejoices  in 
God  her  Saviour,  in  the  fulfillment  of  the  promise 
to  Israel,  and  the  blessing  infinite  to  future  genera- 
tions.    Mary's  soul  is  full  of  hiimility, 

"  I  am  not  proud — not  proud ; 
Albeit  in  my  flesh  God  sent  his  son, 
Albeit  over  him  my  head  is  bowed 
As  others  bow  before  him,  still  mine  heart 
Bows  lower  than  their  knees.     O,  centuries 
That  roll  in  vision,  your  futurities 
My  future  grave  athwart. 
Whose  murmurs  seem  to  reach  me 
While  I  keep  watch  o'er  this  sleep, 
Say  of  me  as  the  heavenly  said.  Thou  art 
The  blessedest  of  women — blessedest. 
Not  holiest,  not  noblest." 

There  is  but  little  revealed  to  us  on  the  sacred 
page  regarding  the  youth  of  Jesus,  and  from  the 
time  we  see  him  a  babe  upon  his  mother's  bosom, 

"  A  king  without  regalia, 
A  God  without  the  thunder, 
A  child  without  the  heart  to  play, 
Aye,  a  Creator  rent  asunder," 


&70  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

until  we  meet  him  in  the  temple,  disputing  with  the 
learned  and  wise,  there  is  silence  concerning  him. 

Here,  then,  is  the  prayer  of  the  mother  of  the 
Saviour,  a  part  of  that  ' '  free  service  which  is  all  in 
all  to  heaven,"  a  "voice  of  praise  and  thanksgiving" 
to  the  Great  God  of  All  for  the  gift  of  his  son  to  a 
lost,  a  perishing  world. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Luke  i. 

46  And  Mary  said,  My  soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord. 

47  And  my  spirit  hath  rejoiced  in  God  my  Saviour. 

48  For  he  hath  regarded  the  low  estate  of  his  handmaiden  ; 
for,  behold,  from  henceforth  all  generations  shall  call  me 
blessed. 

49  For  he  that  is  mighty  hath  done  to  me  great  things ;  and 
holy  is  his  name. 

60  And  his  mercy  is  on  them  that  fear  him  from  generation 
to  generation. 

51  He  hath  showed  strength  with  his  arm;  he  hath  scattered 
the  proud  in  the  imagination  of  their  hearts. 

52  He  hath  put  down  the  mighty  from  their  seats,  and  ex- 
alted them  of  low  degree. 

63  He  hath  filled  the  hungry  with  good  things  ;  and  the  rich 
he  hath  sent  empty  away. 

54  He  hath  holpen  his  servant  Israel,  in  remembrance  of  his 
mercy ; 

65  As  he  spake  to  our  fothers,  to  Abraham,  and  to  his  seed 
for  ever. 


LUKE.  271 


THE  PRAYER  OF  SIMEON"  IN  THE  TEMPLE. 

After  the  "  custom  of  tlie  law,"  Marj  and  Josepli 
had  brought  the  infant  Jesus  to  the  temple.  Simeon, 
a  man  of  great  pietj,  residing  at  Jerusalem,  had  re- 
ceived a  divine  intimation  that  he  should  live  to  see 
the  Eedeemer,  and  it  is  in  the  temple  he  meets  him 
with  his  parents.  He  had  long  waited  for  the  "  con- 
solation of  Israel,"  the  coming  of  the  promised 
Messiah,  and  now  his  prayers  were  answered ;  the 
desire  of  his  waiting,  anxious  heart  gratified,  the  old 
man  is  permitted  to  enfold  the  Saviour  in  his  arms, 
and  lift  his  soul  to  heaven  in  gratitude.  By  his 
prayer  we  infer  he  was  especially  endued  with  the 
spirit  of  prophecy,  and  his  mind  stretches  far  be- 
yond the  narrow  Jewish  point  of  view.  He  sees 
the  kingdom  of  the  Eedeemer  extending  not  over 
one  nation  or  people,  but  filling  the  earth  with  its 
blessings ;  not  only  a  glory  to  the  Jew,  but  a  light 
to  the  Gentile  also.  He  tells  the  mother  of  our 
Lord,  "with  the  clear,  sharp  tongue  of  prophecy," 
of  the  sword  that  should  pierce  through  her  own 
soul. 

Dr.  Kitto  says  of  this  remark  of  Simeon,  and  the 
one  preceding  it,  "  It  is  an  important  addition  to  his 
prayer,  for  we  learn  by  it  that  he  believed  that  Is- 
rael would  be  eventually  glorified  in  the  Messiah, 


272  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 


yet  that  at  first  he  would  be  to  them  a  stone  of 
stumbling,  and  a  rock  of  offence." 

Simeon  calls  the  child  Jesus,  the  "  Salvation  of 
God,"  because  in  his  person  all  the  purposes  and 
promises  of  salvation  are  centered ;  in  him  are  grace, 
mercy,  and  peace,  from  God  the  father  and  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  The  old  man's  work  is  done ;  he  is 
ready  to  obey  his  Father's  call,  ready  to  lie  down  in 
peace,  ready  for  his  home  in  heaven. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Luke  ii. 

27  And  he  came  by  the  spirit  into  the  temple :  and  when  the 
parents  brought  in  the  child  Jesus,  to  do  for  him  after  the  cus- 
tom of  the  law, 

28  Then  took  he  him  up  in  his  arms,  and  blessed  God,  and 
said, 

29  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  accord- 
ing to  thy  word : 

30  For  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation, 

31  Which  thou  hast  prepared  before  the  face  of  all  people; 

32  A  light  to  lighten  the  Gentiles,  and  the  glory  of  thy  peo- 
ple Israel. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  ANNA. 

The  union  of  old  age  and  piety  is  always  attract- 
ive. It  is  a  peaceful  twilight  after  a  long  and  busy 
day ;  life  mellowed  into  ripeness ;  the  "  start  and  the 
flush,  and  the  idle  dream  all  over,"  and  a  temporary 
calm  for  the  soul  ere  it  takes  its  journey  toward  its 


LUKE.  273 

everlasting  home.  The  sketch  of  the  character  and 
life  of  Anna  in  the  Bible  furnish  materials  for  an 
interesting  biography,  and  to  the  Christian  one  of 
peculiar  attractiveness.  Lonely  and  desolate,  and 
yet  not  lonely  and  desolate^  although  for  many  years 
a  widow,  she  had  chosen  that  Friend  for  her  guide 
who  is  the  "  God  of  the  widow,  and  father  of  the 
fatherless."  Anna  was  a  woman  of  prayer,  living 
near  to  the  temple,  and  as  we  are  not  told  of  her 
having  any  family,  we  find  her  devoting  herself  to 
Grod,  free  from  the  vexations  incident  upon  domes- 
tic duties.  It  does  not  seem  to  have  been  necessary 
for  her  to  be  careM  and  anxious  about  anything  but 
the  spiritual  welfare  of  herself  and  people,  not  that 
these  things  should  exempt  any  from  the  duties  they 
owe  to  God,  for  there  are  few  who  cannot  imitate 
Anna  in  her  daily  stated  times  of  prayer,  and  though 
domestic  duties  may  crowd  and  press  us  sometimes, 
like  the  traveler  who  stops  to  take  necessary  rest 
and  food,  we  may  still  keep  on  our  journey,  if  we 
gather  daily  strength  for  it  from  prayer.  This  de- 
voted Christian  came  into  the  temple  at  the  time  of 
Simeon's  prayer ;  her  eyes  were  permitted  to  gaze 
on  the  "  Hope  of  Israel,"  the  infant  Saviour.  Like 
an  active  Christian  she  spake  of  him  to  the  pious 
remnant  of  her  people ;  spoke  of  redemption  and 
its  wondrous  plan — "  out  of  the  abundance  of  the 
heart  the  mouth  speaketh."  It  is  but  a  poor, 
paltry  excuse  the  Christian  offers  that  he  has  no 


274  THE   PEATERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 


gift  of  speech  in  this  matter,  that  his  tongue  is  sealed 
in  silence,  when  careless  sinners  are  all  around  them. 
Is  your  soul  full  of  love  to  your  God,  and  can  you 
not  tell  of  it  to  the  dying,  perishing  children  of  men? 
Is  your  heart  bursting  with  the  riches  of  his  grace, 
which  He  has  poured  into  your  otherwise  ruined 
soul,  and  are  your  lips  sealed,  and  that  grace  a  se- 
cret you  are  shutting  within  the  portals  of  yonr  own 
heart?  We  have  some  excuse  to  make  for  natural 
diffidence,  but  the  grace  of  Grod  will  make  the  "  righ- 
teous as  bold  as  a  lion."  Learn  timid  Christian  to 
fear  your  God,  not  man — poor,  puny  worm  of  the 
dust,  bound  to  an  eternity  of  misery  or  happiness. 
Oh !  it  is  time  the  closed  lips  of  the  Christian  should 
be  unsealed.  Ye,  who  are  young,  look  at  the  aged 
Anna,  Tell  me  not  of  experience  and  years  in  her 
case  fitting  her  more  than  you  for  God's  work ;  there 
is  no  such  thing  as  age  in  Christian  life.  The  mo- 
ment a  sinner  believes,  he  has  a  heart  full  of  rich 
treasures  God  bids  him  dispense  among  the  famish- 
ing and  hungry.  Anna  had  been  a  working,  active, 
devoted,  prayerful  Christian  all  her  life  long;  this 
brought  her  a  serene  and  quiet  old  age.  Life  was 
full  of  pleasant  memories — her  prayers  were  stored 
in  heaven.  Would  you  be  like  Anna  imitate  her 
example ;  neglect  not  the  little  circle  where  two  or 
three  are  gathered  to  worship  God ;  neglect  not  the 
holy  sanctuary,  neglect  not  the  duties  of  the  closet 
— and  your  experience  will  be  sweet;  "Age  cannot 


LUKE.  275 

witlieryou;"  and  when  "thy  summons  comes,"  like 
"one  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch  about 
him,"  you  shall  "lie  down  to  pleasant  dreams." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Luke  ii. 

36  And  there  was  one  Anna,  a  prophetess,  the  daughter  of 
Phanuel,  of  the  tribe  of  Aser :  she  was  of  a  great  age,  and  had 
lived  with  an  husband  seven  years  from  her  virginity ; 

37  And  she  was  a  widow  of  about  fourscore  and  four  years, 
which  departed  not  from  the  temple,  but  served  God  with  fast- 
ings and  prayers  night  and  day. 

38  And  she  coming  in  that  instant  gave  thanks  likewise  unto 
the  Lord,  and  spake  of  him  to  all  them  that  looked  for  redemp- 
tion in  Jerusalem. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  SIMON  PETER. 

On  the  calm  bosom  of  a  peaceful  lake,  in  a  boat 
near  the  shore,  are  a  few  poor  fishermen ;  they  have 
toiled  all  day,  and  as  yet  have  taken  nothing.  They 
are  loved  by  the  Saviour,  and  as  the  eager  crowd 
press  closely  after  him,  he  enters  the  vessel  of  Simon, 
to  talk  with  him  and  make  there  an  exhibition  of 
his  power.  Their  boat  is  pushed  lightly  a  little  far- 
ther from  the  shore,  in  obedience  to  the  command 
of  Jesus,  and  the  nets  let  down  into  the  water;  but 
so  great  is  the  weight  of  fish  in  them  they  can 
scarcely  be  brought  up  again.     Overcome  by  the 


276  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

words  and  the  miraculous  power  of  the  Saviour, 
Simon  Peter  in  deep  humility  prostrates  himself  at 
his  feet,  confesses  his  own  sinful  nature  and  weak- 
ness. His  prayer  is  full  of  the  feeling  of  unworthi- 
ness  expressed  by  every  truly  convicted  and  con- 
verted person.  Scott  says,  this  miracle  itself  was 
emblematic  of  many  things  relative  to  the  preaching 
of  the  gospel,  and  especially  of  Peter's  great  success 
on  the  day  of  Pentecost. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Luke  v. 

8  When  Simon  Peter  saw  it,  he  fell  down  at  Jesus'  knees, 
saying,  Depart  not  from  me;  for  I  am  a  sinful  man,  O  Lord. 

The  Lord''s  Answer. — Luke  v. 

10  And  Jesus  said  unto  Simon,  Fear  not;  from  henceforth 
thou  shalt  catch  men. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  PETER  ON  THE  MOUNT. 

It  is  the  hour  of  prayer,  for  our  Saviour  has  taken 
with  him  his  three  discij)les,  Peter,  James,  and  John, 
for  the  especial  object  of  devotion,  and  we  are  ex- 
pressly told  they  went  up  into  a  mountain  to  pray. 
It  was  on  this  occasion  the  wonderful  scene  of  the 
transfiguration  of  Christ  occurred,  and  the  amaze- 
ment created  by  it  in  the  mind  of  Peter  bewildered 
him  so  that  he  scarcely  knew  what  he  was  saying. 


LUKE.  277 

Two  angelic  beings  were  near  tlie  Saviour,  talking 
with  him.  They  were  the  glorified  spirits  of  Elias 
and  Moses.  Peter's  prayer  seems  prompted  by  a 
fear  that  these  beings  would  disappear.  Dr.  Kitto 
says  Moses  and  Elias  were  the  chiefs  of  the  law  and 
the  prophets,  who  came,  as  it  were,  to  give  testi- 
mony and  homage  to  the  Consummator,  who  had  in 
these  latter  days  appeared,  to  finish  the  work  which 
they  had  in  their  day  been  employed  to  advance 
and  prepare. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Luke  ix. 

33  And  it  came  to  pass,  as  they  departed  from  him,  Peter 
said  unto  Jesus,  Master,  it  is  good  for  us  to  be  here :  and  let  us 
make  three  tabernacles ;  one  for  thee,  and  one  for  Moses,  and 
one  for  Elias:  not  knowing  what  he  said. 

The  Ansioer. — Luke  ix. 

34  While  he  thus  spake,  there  came  a  cloud,  and  overshad- 
owed them  :  and  they  feared  as  they  entered  into  the  cloud. 

35  And  there  came  a  voice  out  of  the  cloud,  saying,  This  is 
ray  beloved  Son:    hear  him. 

36  And  when  the  voice  was  past,  Jesus  was  found  alone. 


THE  PRATER  OF  THE  PRODIGAL  SON. 

"  A  wanderer  from  his  father's  love,  his  home  and 
friends,  the  prodigal  is  in  a  state  of  abject  servitude 
and  misery.     The  world  with  its  thousand  syren 

13 


278  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

voices,  had  lured  him  from  the  path  of  virtue ;  dis- 
sipation in  its  most  bitter  form  had  made  him 
wretched ;  his  eyes  had  been  dazzled  by  the  attrac- 
tive light  of  a  wasting,  consuming  fire,  and  he  is 
ready  to  perish.  In  his  present  forlorn  condition, 
the  poor  man,  in  the  expressive  phrase  of  Scripture,- 
"  came  to  himself,''  he  has  all  along  acted  against 
reason,  judgment,  and  conscience ;  sin  has  blinded 
him,  but  noAV  deep  and  bitter  reflections  awaken 
him  to  a  sense  of  degradation  and  misery ;  but 
there  is  something  to  be  done  if  he  would  be  re- 
lieved— he  must  resolve.  Observe  the  promptness 
of  his  resolution  after  he  sees  his  true  state  ;  perhaps 
his  father  will  hear  him  although  he  has  despised 
his  authority  and  wasted  his  substance.  There  is  a 
hope — a  "beam  of  comfort  like  the  moon  through 
clouds;"  it  inspires  him  to  ''arise  and  go  to  his  fa- 
ther," and  while  he  is  yet  a  great  way  off,  that 
father  forgives  him,  has  compassion  on  him,  falls  on 
his  neck  as  he  comes  to  him,  and  receives  him  as  a 
child.  God  is  willing  to  receive  every  sinner  just 
as  this  father  did  his  son,  if  "  coming  to  himself," 
he  resolve  in  prayer  to  seek  him. 

"  The  greatest  attribute  of  heaven  is  mercy ; 
And  'tis  the  crown  of  justice,  and  the  glory, 
Where  it  may  kill  with  right, 
To  save  with  pity." 

There  is  a  general  and  intellectual  conviction  of 
sin  which  remains  as  it  were  slut  up  in  the  heart  or 


LUKE.  279 

understanding,  and  there  is  another  which  controls 
all  the  affections  and  acts,  which  makes  a  man  a 
Christian;  it  leads  him  to  prayer,  and  makes  him 
prompt  in  serving  God.  David  was  a  man  in  whose 
life  we  see  distinctly  these  two  states  of  feeling,  one 
before  Nathan  came  to  him  and  the  other  after. 
The  latter  was  the  feeling  of  the  prodigal.  We  do 
not  find  him  remaining  where  he  is,  but  active  in 
using  the  means  to  ameliorate  his  condition,  he  goes 
to  his  father.  Eeader,  have  you  done  this?  Are 
you  often  at  the  mercy-seat  confessing  your  sin 
against  heaven  ?  We  know  that  many  have  felt 
themselves  sinners,  their  convictions  have  been  deep, 
billows  may  have  rolled  over  the  soul  mountains 
high,  and  yet  the  waters  may  not  have  washed 
away  one  sin,  or  cleansed  it  from  its  deep  pollution. 
You  must  go  with  the  spirit  of  the  prodigal ;  your 
heavenly  Father  will  come  to  meet  you  at  your  first 
resolve  to  seek  him.  There  is  joy  through  all  the 
shining  courts  of  heaven  when  one  repenting  sinner 
comes  to  the  mercy-seat. 

"  Satan  trembles  when  he  sees 
The  weakest  saint  upon  his  knees." 

But  Grod,  his  Father  and  his  Friend,  is  there  to 
meet  him.  It  may  be  said  by  some  who  have  no 
idea  of  Grod's  justice,  no  conception  of  his  broken 
law,  our  own  case  and  this  prodigal  are  entirely  dis- 
similar ;  our  course  has  not  been  one  of  recklessness 
and  folly ;  to  such  we  would  say,  sin  has  made  you, 


280  THE   PKAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

like  liim,  miserable  and  ■wretclied;  sin  has  made 
you  a  wanderer  from  your  Father's  heart  and  love, 
and  the  words  of  living  fire  on  the  page  of  Holy 
Writ  tell  you,  "If  a  man  say  he  hath  no  sin  he  de- 
ceiveth  himself."  All  have  sinned  and  come  short 
of  the  glory  of  God.  As  long  as  you  do  not  arise 
and  go  to  the  Father  whom  you  have  offended,  you 
are  in  a  state  of  abject  misery;  however  brightly 
the  world  may  smile  upon  you,  you  are  feeding  on 
husks.  Oh,  be  warned  in  time!  We  would  lead 
you  to  return  with  the  prodigal,  we  would  show 
you  the  affectionate  embrace  of  the  Father,  the 
hearty  welcome ;  and  the  peace  of  that  restored 
heart.  His  prayer  is  simple  but  efl&cacious ;  it  enters 
the  father's  heart,  and  so  will  yours  if  you  will  go 
with  him. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Luke  xv. 

20  And  he  arose,  and  came  to  his  father.  But  when  he  was 
yet  a  great  way  off,  his  fixther  saw  him,  and  had  compassion,  and 
ran,  and  fell  on  his  neck,  and  kissed  him. 

2 1  And  the  son  said  unto  him.  Father,  I  have  sinned  against 
heaven,  and  in  thy  sight,  and  am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called 
thy  son. 

The  Answer. 

22  But  the  father  said  to  his  servants.  Bring  forth  the  best 
robe,  and  put  it  on  him  ;  and  put  a  ring  on  his  hand,  and  shoes 
on  his  feet : 

23  And  bring  hither  the  fotted  calf,  and  kill  it;  and  let  us 
eat,  and  be  merry : 

24  For  this  my  son  was  dead,  and  is  alive  again ;  he  was  lost, 
and  is  found. 


LUKE.  281 


THE  PRAYER  OF  DIVES. 

The  following  prayer  is  a  "vvail  of  agony  from  the 
depth  of  that  hell  to  which  all  the  impenitent  are 
destined ;  the  day  of  mercy  Avith  that  soul  is  over, 
and  the  time  for  prayer  to  God  passed  away  forever. 
Through  the  long  ages  of  a  "limitless  future"  will 
that  wail  come  up  deeper  and  louder  to  tell  of  the 
agony  of  a  ruined  soul.      Our  Saviour  in  his  teach- 
ings to  the  multitude  has  introduced  this  parable  of 
the  rich  and  poor  man,  which,  in  its  grand  outlines, 
is  being  continually  acted  out  under  the  eye  of  even 
the  most  careless  observer  at  the  present  time.     The 
earthly  and  spiritual  condition  of  the  two  men  are 
forcibly  delineated,  and  the  final  result  is  given  to 
show  us  the  destiny  of  all  who  must  come  under 
either  one  of  the  classes  these  two  men  so  strikingly 
represent.     We  shall  be  particular  in  our  notice  of 
this  prayer,  hoping  we  may,  by  our  plainness  of 
speech,  arrest'  the  eye  of  the  mere  worldling.     He 
who  makes  it,  it  will   be   observed,  is  not   guilty 
of  the  grosser  vices;    his  were  sins  we  may  call 
"popular   sins,"  fashionable    among    those   whom 
the  world  worships,  and  whose  favor  many  are  so 
earnestly  seeking.     The  rich  man  was  of  the  stock 
of  Abraham,  a  Jew,  and  we  may  infer  had  a  form 
of  godliness  also.      He  fared  sumptuously—all  that 
wealth  could  bring  in    the   way    of   luxury    was 


282  THE   PEAYERS   OP  THE   BIBLE. 

his;  but  these  were  not  enumerated  as  sins,  he 
might  have  had  all  these  and  been  a  devoted  child 
of  God.  We  cannot  think  him  a  miser,  for  his  ta- 
ble was  sumptuous,  and  no  doubt  he  entertained 
those  who  were  congenial  to  him  ;  but  we  may  infer 
safely  they  were  not  the  lowly  followers  of  Christ, 
or  Lazarus  would  not  have  been  despised.  Me- 
thinks  I  hear  some  reader  ask,  What,  then,  was  this 
man's  sin  ?  and  to  such  we  would  reply,  In  not  using 
his  wealth  to  the  glory  of  God — he  had  forgotten 
the  poor  and  the  sick,  the  miserable  and  dying  beg- 
gar. Grace  was  a  stranger  to  his  heart ;  that  grace 
which  brings  with  it  a  tenderness  of  spirit  that  en- 
ables its  possessor  to  feel  that  earth's  poorest  and 
most  miserable  children  are  brethren ;  that  will 
not  permit  him  to  hear  one  sigh  of  the  distressed 
without  relieving  it,  and  will  keep  ever  in  his  hand 
"the  cup  of  cold  water"  which  he,  as  a  Christian, 
dare  not  or  will  not  withhold.  There  are  many, 
dear  reader,  who  are  living  as  this  rich  man  lived, 
many  who  can  weep  over  imagiliary  wo,  but 
never  see  the  real  misery  which  they  may  lighten  ; 
many  of  our  own  loved  friends  whose  hearts 
beat  quicker  when  told  of  this  or  that  scene  of 
sorrow,  but  who  will  not  go  with  you  to  the 
midst  of  it ;  there  is  many  a  poor  beggar  Ij^ing  at 
their  gates,  whom  they  are  despising  and  sending 
empty  away.  God  forbid  you  should  ever  be  brought 
-to  the  misery  of  Dives !     Ere  the  echo  of  his  sor- 


LUKE.  283 

rowing  wail  dies  away  on  your  ear,  be  warned  of 
your  own  danger.  I  tell  you  of  it  in  the  voice  of 
Christian  love,  the  gay  and  worldly  are  singing  to 
your  listening  ears  a  sweet  song  that  is  lulling  you 
into  a  dangerous  sleep,  and  no  word  of  condemna- 
tion comes  from  the  world  about  you  to  show  you 
your  condition ;  you  are  not  desolate  and  forsaken, 
for  "the  rich  have  many  friends,"  yet  the  few  chosen 
of  God's  children  are  asking  you  to  go  with  them ; 
they  are  praying  for  you,  and  beseeching  you  to 
save  yourself  from  the  fate  of  Dives.  This  prayer, 
and  indeed  the  whole  parable,  is  figurative,  and 
"  Abraham's  bosom,"  according  to  Scott,  means  a 
place  near  that  "father  of  the  faithful,"  that  occu- 
pied by  the  beggar,  and  is  intended  to  shadow  forth 
the  joy  of  the  believing  soul  after  death ;  the  posi- 
tion of  the  rich  man  exhibits  a  vivid  picture  of  the 
misery  of  the  lost.  The  latter  part  of  the  narrative 
furnishes  the  true  Christian  with  a  powerful  argu- 
ment against  those  false  doctrines  which  the  holy 
word  predicts  shall  deceive  the  very  elect ;  it  tells 
the  tormented  spirit  "one  shall  not  rise  from  the 
dead  to  minister  to  his  brethren  in  holy  things." 
God  has  his  own  shining  hosts  to  camp  about  the 
good  man's  tent,  but  they  are  not  the  souls  of  those 
who  have  entered  the  pit  of  despair.  Angels  form 
a  quiet  ministry  to  those  who  are  the  heirs  of  salva- 
tion ;  how,  or  when,  or  where,  it  is  not  given  to  man 
to  know,  for  they  belong  to  the  army  of  God,  who 


284  THE  PEAYEES  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

does  his  own  will  among  the  shining  troops  before 
his  everlasting  throne ;  his  ways  are  not  our  ways, 
neither  are  his  thoughts  our  thoughts.  We  know 
his  children  are  guarded  and  watched  while  they 
are  lingering  near  his  mercy-seat.  "We  have  Moses 
and  the  prophets,  the  voice  of  justice  and  of  tender 
compassion  ;  we  have  the  warnings  of  earthly  friends, 
and  a  vivid  picture  of  the  eternally  happy  and 
eternally  miserable ;  and  is  not  this  enough  ?  God 
in  his  answer  would  and  does  say,  enough  ! 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Luke  xvi. 

22  And  it  came  to  pass,  that  the  beggar  died,  and  was  car- 
ried Toy  the  angels  into  Abraham's  bosom :  the  rich  man  also 
died,  and  was  buried; 

23  And  in  hell  he  lift  up  his  eyes,  being  in  torments,  and 
seeth  Abraham  afar  off,  and  Lazarus  in  his  bosom. 

24  And  he  cried  and  said,  Father  Abraham,  have  mercy  on 
me,  and  send  Lazarus,  that  he  may  dip  the  tip  of  his  finger  in 
water,  and  cool  my  tongue ;  for  I  am  tormented  in  this  flame. 

The  Anszvcr. — Lnke  xvi. 

25  But  Abraham  said,  Son,  remember  that  thou  in  thy  life- 
time receivedst  thy  good  things,  and  likewise  Lazarus  evil 
things ;  but  now  he  is  comforted,  and  thou  art  tormented. 

26  And  beside  all  this,  between  us  and  you  there  is  a  great 
gulf  fixed :  so  that  they  which  would  pass  from  hence  to  you 
cannot ;  neither  can  they  pass  to  us,  that  would  come  from 
thence. 

Continuation  of  Dives'  Prayer. — Luke  xvi. 

27  Then  he  said,  I  pray  thee  therefore,  father,  that  thou 
wouldest  send  him  to  my  father's  house: 


LUKE.  285 

28  For  I  have  five  brethren;  that  he  may  testify  unto  them, 
lest  they  also  come  into  this  place  of  torment. 

The  Anszver. — Luke  xvi. 

31  And  he  said  unto  him,  If  they  hear  not  Moses  and  the 
prophets,  neither  will  they  be  persuaded,  though  one  rose  from 
the  dead. 


PRAYER  OF  THE  TEN  LEPERS. 

On  tlie  borders  of  Samaria  or  Galilee,  a  company 
of  men  suffering  with,  leprosy,  having  heard  of  the 
fame  of  Jesus,  and  his  ability  to  cure  this  hopeless 
disease,  have  come  to  beseech  him  to  heal  them. 
Lepers  are  among  the  last  who  are  mentioned  as 
seeking  the  aid  of  Jesus,  and  when  his  great  power 
was  spoken  of  by  those  who  followed  him,  many 
said,  he  hath  not  yet  healed  a  leper.  The  ten  ac- 
knowledge the  power  of  Jesus,  their  disease  is  the 
same,  their  prayer  for  help  the  same,  but  in  the 
spirit  of  but  one  is  that  heaven-born  feeling,  grati- 
tude. Christ  had  listened  to  their  prayer  and  healed 
them,  and  sent  them  to  their  priests  to  obtain  from 
them  a  formal  attestation  of  their  cure — to  perform 
the  rite  of  purification  according  to  law.  All  were 
healed,  but  there  is  only  one  who  returns  thanks  for 
the  benefit  received.  Our  Saviour's  question  as  to 
where  are  the  nine,  methinks  ought  to  startle  the 


286  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

heart  of  every  careless  Christian,  for  there  are  many, 
very  many,  who  have  received  daily  and  hourly 
mercies,  and  have  forgotten  with  these  nine  to  give 
thanks  to  God.  Jesus  commends  the  faith  of  the 
grateful-hearted  man,  as  he  falls  in  thankfulness  at 
his  feet.  It  is  probable  the  one  who  returned  and 
glorified  God,  alone  of  all  of  them  really  believed 
in  Jesus  as  the  Messiah,  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 
This  faith  in  his  heart  caused  his  thanksgiving,  for 
we  are  told  the  others  went  back  to  the  temple,  and 
it  may  be  there  returned  thanks  to  God  ;  but  their 
gratitude  was  not  the  offspring  of  faith — the  spon- 
taneous outbreak  of  a  Christian  heart,  and  thanks- 
giving to  Jesus  as  their  immediate  benefactor ;  else, 
why  does  the  Saviour  commend  so  particularly  the 
conduct  of  this  one  leper  ?  It  would  be  well  for 
the  reader  to  refer  to  the  few  verses  following  the 
leper's  prayer.  It  will  more  distinctly  show  him 
the  difference  between  them,  and  open  the  heart  of 
the  one  leper,  in  Avhom  the  "  kingdom  of  God  "  was 
indeed  set  up. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Luke  xvii. 

12  And  as  he  entered  into  a  certain  village,  there  met  him 
ten  men  that  were  lepers,  which  stood  afar  off; 

13  And  they  lifted  up  their  voices,"  and  said,  Jesus,  Master, 
have  mercy  on  us. 

14  And  when  he  saw  them,  he  said  unto  them,  Go  show  your- 
selves unto  the  priests.  And  it  came  to  pass,  that,  as  they 
went,  they  were  cleansed. 


LUKE.  287 

15  And  one  of  them,  when  he  saw  that  he  was  healed,  turned 
back,  and  with  a  loud  voice  glorified  God. 

16  And  fell  down  on  his  foce  at  his  feet,  giving  him  thanks: 
and  he  was  a  Samaritan. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Luke  xvii. 

17  And  Jesus  answering  said,  Were  there  not  ten  cleansed? 
but  where  are  the  nine  ? 

18  There  are  not  found  that  returned  to  give  glory  to  God, 
save  this  stranger. 

19  And  he  said  unto  him,  Arise,  go  thy  way:  thy  faith  hath 
made  thee  whole. 


THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE  PHARISEE  AND  PUBLICAN 

We  will  not  separate  these  two  prayers,  for,  con- 
nected like  the  light  and  shadow'in  a  picture,  the 
effect  is  more  startling,  and  may  make  a  deeper  im- 
pression on  the  heart.  Here  are  two  men  going  up 
into  the  temple  to  pray,  just  as  we  all  go  at  the  sound 
of  the  Sabbath  bell,  and  a  few  at  the  hour  for  social 
prayer.  There  is  nothing  in  the  exterior  of  these 
two  men  that  would  particularly  attract  our  atten- 
tion, for  both  have  gone  there  to  pray.  It  is  after 
they  enter  we  observe  the  difference.  The  one  with 
drooping  eyes  comes  like  a  grateful  almsman  and 
humbly  begs  his  bread;  the  other  is  like  one  "the 
music  of  whose  own  vain  tongue  doth  ravish  like 
enchanting  harmony."      One  is  "poor,  and  blind, 


288  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

and  naked,"  the  other  full,  proud,  and  satisfied.  One 
Las  seen  himself  with  the  eye  of  faith  a  lost  and 
ruined  soul,  and  seeks  the  only  remedy  ;  the  other's 
heart  still  nurses  that  deadly  passion  which  blinds 
him  to  his  sin,  and  brings  before  his  deluded  vision 
his  imagined  virtue.  One  would  exalt,  the  other 
abase  himself,  when  communing  with  the  Omnipo- 
tent Jehovah.  Let  us  examine  well  these  two  pray- 
ers, for  they  represent  two  large  classes  in  this  world 
of  ours.  '  The  Publican  knew  himself— the  Pharisee 
did  not.  This  knowledge  made  the  one  humble, 
and  the  want  of  this  filled  the  heart  of  the  other 
with  pride. 

"  Acquaint  thee  with  thyself,  0  man  !  so  shalt  thou  be  humble ; 
The  hard,  hot  desert  of  thy  heart  shall  blossom  with  the  lily  and 

and  the  rose ; 
The  frozen  cliffs  of  pride  shall  melt  as  an  iceberg  in  the  tropics." 

All  that  thou  hast  done,  all  thou  canst  ever  do  in 
thv  own  poor,  puny  strength,  can  never  win  for  thee 
the  crown  in  heaven.  God  has  to  do  with  thy  heart. 
All  its  secret  springs,  its  hidden  desires,  its  unseen 
emotions,  are  naked  and  open  to  that  all-seeing  eye, 
which  knows  no  sleeping.  Then,  wherefore  wouldst 
thou  boast?  frail  worm  of  the  dust,  a  withering 
flower,  a  fading  leaf,  a  morning  vapor,  or  an  even- 
ing cloud  1  Be  wise — fight  against  thy  pride  ;  with 
humble  prayer  thou  canst  subdue  the  evil,  hateful 
passion. 


LUKE.  289 

"  Mark,  amid  all  his  transformations, 
Tbe  complicate  deceitfulness  of  pride  ; 
And  the  more  he  striveth  to  elude  thee, 
Bind  him  the  closer  in  thy  toils. 
Prayer  is  the  net  that  snareth  him; 
Prayer  is  the  fetter  that  holdeth  him. 
Thou  canst  not  nourish  pride,  while 
Waiting  as  an  almsman  on  thy  God." 

Would  we  have  our  praj^er  acceptable,  we  must 
remember  the  humble  Publican — remember  God 
himself  hath  uttered  the  eternal  truth,  "There  is 
not  one  good ;  no,  not  one."  This  is  difficult  for 
the  merely  moral  man  to  comprehend ;  he  jnay,  like 
the  Pharisee,  give  "tithes  of  all  he  possesses,"  but  he 
has  never  yet  laid  the  offering  of  his  heart,  broken 
and  contrite,  on  God's  altar.  He  cannot,  until  Gbd 
takes  the  film  from  his  blind  eye,  see  the  deep,  dark 
shadow  of  his  indwelling  corruption ;  nor  will  he, 
till  he  can  make  from  his  heart  the  prayer  of  the 
poor  Publican.  Oh !  there  are  many  among  those 
we  love  who  know  not  the  deep  sin  of  their  hearts ; 
circumstances  have  made  them  refined,  society  with 
the  good  has  made  them  winning  and  gentle,  but 
beneath  all  this,  behind  this  soft  and  silken  curtain, 
which  the  world  so  much  admires,  is  a  human  heart, 
"  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  desperately  wicked." 
We  would,  with  a  gentle  hand,  draw  aside  this  cur- 
tain ;  we  would  show  you  just  such  a  heart  as  your 
own,  for  such  was  that  of  the  Pharisee,  and  yet  it  is 
not  I  who  can  do  this,  it  is  the  reader  of  the  secrets 


290  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 


of  all  hearts.  I  may  point  out  the  way  to  the  mer- 
cy-seat, and  tell  you  there,  and  there  alone,  is  your 
remedy ;  the  sj)irit  in  which  you  may  come,  learn 
for  yourself  in  the  narrative  below,  and  may  God 
give  you  strength  to  come  in  humility. 

The  Prayers  as  recorded. — Luke  xviii. 

10  Two  men  went  up  into  the  temple  to  pray;  the  one  a 
Pharisee,  and  the  oilier  a  publican. 

11  The  Pharisee  stood  and  prayed  thus  with  himself,  God,  I 
thank  thee,  that  I  am  not  as  other  men  are,  extortioners,  unjust, 
adulterers,  or  even  as  this  publican. 

12  I  fast  twice  in  the  week,  I  give  tithes  of  all  that  I  pos- 
sess. 

13  And  the  publican,  standing  afar  off,  would  not  lift  up  so 
much  as  his  eyes  unto  heaven,  but  smote  upon  his  breast,  say- 
ing, God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Luke  xviii. 

14  I  tell  you,  this  man  went  down  to  his  house  justified 
rather  than  the  other:  for  every  one  that  exalteth  himself  shall 
be  abased;  and  he  that  humbleth  himself  shall  be  exalted. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  YOUNG  RULER. 

It  is  with  feelings  of  peculiar  interest  we  read 
the  prayer  of  this  young  man,  for  we  regard  him 
as  strikingly  representing  in  his  outward  circum- 
stances^ as  well  as  in  the  state  of  his  heart,  a  large 
class  of  the  young  and  attractive  about  us.     Love^j 


LUKE.  291 

and  courted,  occupying  a  high  station,  and  sur- 
rounded by  all  the  luxuries  wealth  could  procure ; 
trained  religiously — for  he  seems  to  have  an  ac- 
quaintance with  the  law  of  God,  a  theoretical  know- 
ledge of  his  duty — his  outward  observances  were, 
no  doubt,  strictly  gone  through  with,  and  yet  when 
he  comes  to  Jesus,  he  seems  surprised  thsd,  his  heart 
was  not  right,  that  that  eye  whose  power  extended 
into  the  hidden  recesses  and  windings  of  his  soul, 
saw  the  dark  plague-spot  blackening  the  otherwise 
attractive  character.  The  young  ruler's  wealth  had 
made  him  covetous ; 

"  The  lust  of  gold,  unfeeling  and  remorseless, 
The  last  corruption  of  degenerate  man," 

had  made  him  forgetful  that  God  had  given  these 
riches  merely  as  a  loan  to  be  paid  back  with  inter- 
est in  the  prayers  of  the  poor  man,  in  the  grateful 
acknowledgment  of  the  sick  and  suffering  he  should 
have  relieved,  in  the  rays  of  light  shining  out  from 
the  darkened  soul  he  had  been  the  instrument  of 
opening  to  God's  truth,  in  the  smile  of  the  op- 
pressed he  had  unburdened,  and  in  the  clear  laugh 
of  the  freed  prisoner  to  sin,  whose  chain  he  had  un- 
loosened. Young  man,  these  were  works  you  might 
have  done,  and  deep  and  heavy  the  weight  of  your 
sins  of  omission  following  on  in  the  train  of  the  one 
thing  thou  lackest.  And  the  world  is  full  of  the 
voung   who  are   walking   in   your   footsteps,   who 


292  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

know  not  their  own  hearts,  who  are  living  on  and 
dreaming  on,  burying  in  this  or  that  cherished  sin, 
all  that  is  good  and  lovely,  useful  or  attractive  about 
them.  Are  you  covetous,  you  are  not  a  Christian; 
else,  why  all  over  the  sacred  page,  do  we  see  such 
bitter  denunciations  against  this  sin  ?  Are  you  for- 
getful of  the  poor,  you  cannot  be  accepted;  it  was 
the  sin  that  sent  the  young  man  away  sorrowing. 
If  there  is  in  thy  heart  one  shadow  of  this  soul-ruin- 
ing sin,  oh,  fall  at  the  mercy-seat !  oh,  see  what  good 
thing  thou  lackest  to  make  thee  acceptable!  oh, 
give  your  early  years  to  God  !  There  is  a  glorious 
promise  for  all  that  do  this — "  Those  that  seek  me 
early  shall  find  me."  Life  is  fleeting  fast  away ;  one 
year  follows  quickly  upon  another,  and  it  is  soon, 
soon  over,  with  its  toils,  its  cares,  its  joys,  and  sor- 
rows. A  hope,  a  smile,  a  tear,  these  are  all ;  and 
then,  oh  God!  thou  knowest,  "Every  muffled  drum 
is  beating  funeral  marches  to  the  grave;"  we  see  the 
young  and  loved  falling  around  us,  many  as  attract- 
ive to  the  world  as  this  young  ruler,  but  in  whose 
hearts  we  fear  one  thing  is  lacking  ;  it  is  not  enough 
that  you  should  be  steady  and  regular  in  the  per- 
formance of  stated  religious  duties,  your  heart  must 
be  right  in  the  sight  of  God,  you  must  often  enter 
the  closet  for  self-examination  and  prayer ;  without 
this  no  one  can  be  in  the  world  and  not  of  it,  with 
it  he  can  mis  with  men  and  breathe  the  atmosphere 
of  heaven,  can  walk  in  the  dust  and  mire  and  never 


LUKE.  293 

be  soiled  or  polluted,  for  his  spirit  is  soaring  in  a 
purer,  holier  air,  where  prayer  bears  up  his  wings, 
and  will  bear  them  upward,  till  they  soar  unfettered 
in  worlds  where  sin  is  forever  banished,  and  all  is 
purity  and  joy. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Luke  xviii. 

18  And  a  certain  ruler  asked  him,  saying,  Good  Master,  what 
shall  I  do  to  inherit  eternal  life  ? 

19  And  Jesus  said  unto  him,  Why  callest  thou  me  good; 
none  is  good,  save  one,  that  is  God. 

20  Thou  knowest  the  commandments,  Do  not  commit  adul- 
tery, Do  not  kill,  Do  not  steal,  Do  not  bear  false  witness, 
Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother. 

21  And  he  said.  All  these  have  I  kept  from  my  youth  up. 

The  Lordh  Answer. — Luke  xviii. 

22  Now  when  Jesus  heard  these  things,  he  said  unto  him, 
Yet  lackest  thou  one  thing :  sell  all  that  thou  hast,  and  distrib- 
ute unto  the  poor,  and  thou  shalt  have  treasure  in  heaven:  and 
come,  follow  me. 

24  And  when  Jesus  saw  that  he  was  very  sorrowful,  he  said, 
How  hardly  shall  they  that  have  riches  enter  into  the  kingdom 
of  God ! 


THE  PRAYER  OF  OUR  SAVIOUR  FROM  THE  CROSS. 

"  Helplessly,  heavily — 
On  the  cheek  that  "waxeth  colder, 
Whiter  ever — and  the  shoulder — " 

Where  the  government  was  laid,  death  is  slowly 
creeping ;  but  will  the  great  heart  still  beating  there 
be  full  of  pity  for  a  world,  and  show  no  pity  for  it- 
self?     Will  it  not  unearth  this  cross?     Is  there 


294  THE   PRAYERS  OF   THE   BIBLE. 

no  prayer  to  tlie  Father  that  his  own  place  be  re- 
stored to  him?  Oh,  no.  Far  above  the  voice  of 
trembling,  saddened  nature,  rises  the  prayer,  Father, 
forgive  them,  above  the  taunts  and  jeers,  above  the 
contempt  and  scorn,  these  blessed  words  are  heard. 

"  No  rod,  no  sceptre,  is 
Holden  in  his  fingers  pale — 
They  close  instead  upon  the  nail." 

And  still  the  prayer — words  of  mercy,  words  of 
hope  to  lost  and  ruined  man.  Oh,  as  we  ponder 
over  them,  methinks  they  would  drive  from  every 
heart  each  feeling  of  hatred,  every  thought  but  that 
of  love  to  God  and  all  his  creatures.  If  those  you 
love  have  turned  coldly  upon  you,  remember  this 
prayer,  "  Father,  forgive  them;"  they  are  the  dying 
accents  of  a  Saviour  who  died  to  redeem  those  who 
hated  him.  If  for  your  tears  of  pity  you  have  a 
frown  of  ingratitude,  remember  the  precious  words ; 
if  you  look  for  sympathy,  and  meet  with  the  heart- 
less and  unfeeling,  still  remember  them ;  if  you 
would  lead  the  gay  and  thoughtless  to  the  mercy- 
seat,  and  your  endeavors  are  treated  with  bitterness 
and  scorn,  let  your  prayer  be.  Father,  forgive  them. 
Oh,  methinks  it  is  dearer,  richer,  holier  than  any  on 
the  sacred  page ;  in  it  is  the  Christian's  joy,  the  Chris- 
tian's hope,  for  daily  we  sin  against  the  pure  and  holy 
God ;  but  above  our  call  at  the  mercy-seat  we  hear 
the  sweet  words  of  a  pleading  intercessor,  they  are 
,  the  never-dying  echo  of  the  prayer  of  the  Saviour 


LUKE.  295 

from  the  cross,  "Father,  forgive  them,"  and  every 
bowed  spirit  at  the  "  throne  of  grace  "  makes  new 
notes  of  joy  from  "  the  unworn  string  of  an  eternal 
worshiping."  ''  Father,  forgive  them,"  is  sounding 
yet  above  the  song  of  seraphs,  and  the  music  of  these 
words  will  never  die  away,  till  all  the  ransomed  are 
gathered  into  their  homes  of  light  above.  Without 
this  prayer  man  would  be  eternally  lost,  no  ray  of 
hope  would  light  up  the  dark,  the  fathomless  abyss 
before  him ;  but  this  prayer  of  a  bleeding,  dying  Sa- 
viour is  his  salvation.  No  sooner  is  our  own  knee 
bent  in  worship,  than  in  accents  of  love  and  tender- 
ness the  words  of  Christ,  our  great  intercessoi',  are 
heard  in  the  prayer,  "  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they 
know  not  what  they  do ;"  know  not,  for  they  cannot 
conceive  the  depth  of  the  smallest  sin  against  infi- 
nite love  and  mercy  ;  sin,  that  sent  the  Son  of  God 
to  bleed  and  die  that  man's  ruined  soul  might  be 
lifted  to  the  clear,  still  air  of  heaven.  Will  you, 
then,  be  a  prayerless  being,  v/hen  Christ  is  pleading 
for  you?  will  you  not  pray  for  yourself?  No  mat- 
ter what  your  situation  among  men,  despised,  and 
poor,  and  sick,  and  miserable,  you  may  be  sure  that 
Jesus  is  pleading  for  you ;  your  prayer,  if  sincere, 
will  enter  his  ear.  Give  to  him  the  homage  of  your 
heart,  "render  strong  praise  and  benediction  from 
your  feeble,  mortal  lips,"  for  "incense-smoke  out  of 
a  little  censer  may  fill  heaven."  At  the  mercy-seat 
God  has  given  you  a  place  ;  be  there  often,  be  there 


296  THE   PRAYEES  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

much,  and  wliisjDer  in  tlie  ears  of  others  that  Christ 
is  there,  and  as  }' ou  kneel  together,  in  music  sweeter 
than  the  ear  hath  heard,  the  echo  of  these  words 
will  linger  in  your  hearts,  "Father,  forgive  them.  ' 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Luke  xxiii. 
34  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  THIEF  FROM  THE  CROSS. 

"  I  see 
Beyond  the  city  crosses  three, 
And  mortals  three  that  hang  thereon, 
Ghast  and  silent  to  the  sun  ; 
And  round  them  blacken,  and  welter,  and  press. 
Staring  multitudes,  whose  father 
r"  Adam  was,  whose  brows  are  dark 

With  Cain's  corroded  mark." — Browning. 

On  either  side  of  the  Saviour  were  crucified  with 
him  two  malefactors ;  one  of  them  seems  to  be  se- 
riously affected  by  his  position,  for  from  his  rebuke 
to  the  other  we  know  he  was  satisfied  that  the  Sa- 
viour was  suffering  innocently,  and  that  he  was  the 
Messiah,  the  king  of  Israel.  Overcome  by  his  con- 
victions, and  led  by  the  immediate  teaching  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  he  becomes  repentant,  and  prays  to  the 
,suffering  Saviour. 


LUKE.  297 

"  The  moment  a  sinner  believes, 
And  trusts  in  his  crucified  God, 
His  pardon  at  once  he  receives. 

Redemption  is  full  through  his  blood." 

"  T'is  faith  that  still  leads  us  along, 
And  lives  under  pressure  and  load ; 
That  makes  us  in  weakness  more  strong, 
And  leads  the  soul  upward  to  God." 

It  is  true,  tlie  case  of  tliis  tliief  is  a  peculiar  one, 
for  when  we  consider  his  position  we  might  be  led 
to  imagine  it  an  unusual  exhibition  of  Grod's  mercy 
to  so  great  a  sinner ;  but  it  furnishes  encouragement 
to  all  to  come  to  Jesus,  however  guilty  they  may 
have  been,  and  the  same  mercy  and  forgiveness 
shown  to  the  repenting  malefactor  will  be  given  to 
others.  All  God  requires  of  any  is  this  turning  in 
faith  to  him,  this  relinquishing  of  self,  and  throwing 
purselves  upon  him  who  is  mighty  to  save,  and 
strong  to  deliver;  his  pierced  hands  are  still  stretched 
out  to  lay  gentle  hold  on  every  soul,  as  on  that  of 
the  departing  thief.  This  guilty  man  had  only  to 
feel  himself  a  sinner,  and  come  to  Jesus.  So  you 
must  come,  sinner ;  you  may  not  have  been  a  male- 
factor, but  you  have  broken  God's  holy  law.  and 
there  is  no  remedy  but  in  Jesus.  Come,  then,  "just 
as  you  are,"  without  one  plea,  save  that  the  Lord 
hath  died  for  thee,  and  thine  shall  be  the  glory  and 
the  crown  of  paradise.  We  cannot  leave  this  prayer 
without  considering  an  argument  that  many  would 
draw  from  it  in  favor   of  death-bed  repentances. 


298  THE   PKAYERS   OP   THE   BIBLE. 

This  is  the  only  instance  of  the  kind  in  the  sacred 
page,  and  while  it  encourages  the  most  vile  to  hope 
in  Grod's  mercy,  it  offers  not  the  shadow  of  an  ex- 
cuse to  any  for  putting  off  the  making  of  their  peace 
with  Grod.  "  Now  is  the  accepted  time,  the  day  of 
salvation,"  and,  reader,  as  your  eye  rests  on  these 
words  of  Grod,  you  know  there  is  danger  in  delay. 
Remember  the  foolish  virgins  sought  no  oil  till  alarm- 
ed at  the  bridegroom's  approach.  Oh,  come  now  to 
Grod,  when  you  are  warned ;  your  soul  is  full  of  the 
dark  and  troubled  waters  of  sin,  continually  casting 
up  mire  and  dirt,  "yet  a  spirit- wind  may  blow  white 
those  waters,"  and  wash  your  soul  in  the  blood  of 
the  crucified  Jesus.  Ten  thousand  voices  are  calling 
you  to  come.  This  poor  thief  muy  have  never 
been  told  of  God ;  your  case  is  not  like  his ;  light  is 
all  around  you,  friends  are  whispering  to  you  come,  , 
the  fresh  made  graves  of  those  you  love  speak  in  a 
soft  voice  to  your  soul,  be  ye  ready ;  and  the  Saviour 
is  whispering,  in  this  "story  of  the  cross,"  I  am 
waiting  for  thee,  waiting  for  thee  in  paradise !  Oh, 
turn  believing  unto  Jesus. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Luke  xxiii. 

42  Lord,  remember  me  when  thou  comest  into  thy  kuigdom. 

The  Lord''s  Ansioer. — Luke  xxiii. 

43  And  Jesus  said  unto  him,  Verily  I  say  unto  thee,  To-day 
'  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in  paradise. 


LUKE.  299 


THE  PRA.YER  OF  A  NOBLEMAN. 

Our  blessed  Saviour  had  lingered  in  liis  wander- 
ings at  Cana  of  Galilee,  where  he  had  exhibited  to 
many  his  miraculous  power.  While  there  he  was 
besought  by  a  nobleman  of  Herod's  court  to  heal  his 
son,  who  lay  dangerously  ill  at  Capernaum,  which 
was  a  considerable  distance  from  where  the  Saviour 
now  was.  The  faith  of  the  nobleman  is  weak,  like 
a  small  spark  it  lay  in  his  heart  ready  to  be  kindled. 
He  seems  to  imagine  that  the  Saviour  must  go  with 
him  to  the  dying  bed ;  but  in  the  prayer  and  answer 
we  are  taught  a  useful  lesson — Grod  is  everywhere, 
his  presence  is  about  and  around  us,  he  is  the  om- 
niscient, omnipresent  Jehovah ;  in  proportion  as  we 
feel  this  in  our  hearts^  our  faith  is  strong  or  weak. 
There  are  times  in  the  lives  of  all  Christians  when 
Jesus  is  especially  near ;  and  then,  again,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  Job,  they  are  led  to  exclaim^  "  0,  that  I 
knew  where  I  might  find  him,  I  would  come  even 
to  his  seat."  Christ  is  always  present  when  the 
prayer  is  earnest,  heartfelt,  believing,  the  eye  of 
the  spirit  sees  him,  and  the  calmed  soul  is  sure  of  his 
presence  Our  Lord,  in  order  to  increase  the  faith 
of  this  nobleman,  orders  him  to  go  home ;  he  is  obe- 
dient to  the  command ;  and  as  the  servant  meets  him 
with  the  joyful  news  of  his  son's  recovery,  he  gives 
thanks  to  the  Lord.     There  is  in  that  nobleman's 


300  THE  PRAYERS   OF  THE  BIBLE. 

house  a  believing  family  circle — all  love  the  Lord 
Jesus.  This  side  of  heaven  there  is  no  picture  so 
full  of  beauty  and  interest  to  the  Christian  as  this 
household  presents ;  no  dark  line  mars  its  harmony, 
for  they  are  one  in  Christ,  with  hearts  united  by  a 
chain  of  the  Saviour's  forging — spirit-links  to  bind 
those  hearts  through  time  and  eternity. 

United  on  earth,  and  united  forever, 
Deatti  cannot  part,  death  cannot  sever ; 
Hands  knit  in  love,  are  hands  never  parted, 
One  in  Christ  Jesus  are  all  the  true-hearted  ; 
Pure  Fpirits  on  earth,  will  be  spirits  in  heaven, 
For  spirits  in  heaven  are  spirits  forgiven. 
You  here  sound  the  key  note,  above  is  the  song 
The  ransomed  will  sing  in  the  bright  happy  throng. 
Now  children  in  knowledge,  then  children  no  longer, 
For  faith  there  is  perfect,  here  faith  groweth  stronger. 
One  in  your  worship,  and  one  in  your  love. 
One  in  your  praises,  with  angels  above. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — John  iv. 

46  And  there  was  a  certain  nobleman,  wliose  son  was  sick  at 
Capernaum. 

47  When  he  heard  that  Jesus  was  come  out  of  Judea  into 
Galilee,  he  went  unto  him,  and  besought  him  that  he  would 
come  down,  and  heal  his  son  :  for  he  was  at  the  point  of  death. 

49  The  nobleman  saith  unto  him,  Sir,  come  down  ere  my 
child  die. 

The  Lord^s  Answer. — John  iv. 
48.  Then  Jesus  said  unto  him,  Except  ye  see  signs  and  won- 
ders ye  will  not  believe. 


jOHi^.  301 

50  Jesus  saitli  unto  Iiiin,  Go  thy  way,  thy  son  liveth.  And 
the  man  believed  tlie  word  that  Jesus  had  spoken  unto  hina,  and 
he  went  his  way. 

51  And  as  he  was  now  going  down,  his  servants  met  him, 
and  told  him  saying,  Tliy  f^on  liveth. 

52  Then  inquired  he  of  them  the  hour  when  he  began  to 
amend,  and  they  said  unto  him,  yesterday,  at  the  seventh  hour 
the  fever  left  him. 

53  So  the  father  knew  that  it  was  at  the  same  hour  in  the 
which  Jesus  said  unto  him,  thy  son  liveth,  and  himself  believed 
and  his  whole  house. 


THE  PRAYERS  OF  MARTHA.  AND  MARY. 

In  the  small  village  of  Bethany,  on  the  southeast 
side  of  the  Mount  of  Olives,  lived  Mary  and  Mar- 
tha, and  their  brother,  Lazarus,  Tliey  were  a  godly 
family,  and  seem  to  have  been  especially  beloved  by 
the  Saviour,  as  their  house  was  his  frequent  resort. 
We  would  suggest  to  the  reader  a  carefal  perusal  of 
this  whole  chapter.  The  charo.cters  of  these  two 
women  are  simply  yet  vividl}'-  drawn — both  differ- 
ent, yet  both  loving  the  Lord  Jesus. 

When  Lazarus  was  taken  ill,  the  anxious  sisters 
had  sent  a  message  to  our  Saviour,  and  it  may  ap- 
pear strange  to  the  casual  reader,  that  attached  as 
he  was  to  this  family,  he  did  not  hasten  immediately 
to  them,  or  then  use  his  power  to  prevent  the  death 
of  Lazarus.     It  will  be  seen  that  after  the  message, 

14: 


802  THE    PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

"  He  whom  thou  lovestis  sick,"  two  days  elapsed  be- 
fore the  departure  of  the  Saviour  for  Bethany.  This 
delay  was  to  make  the  miracle  the  greater,  for  the 
"body  had  lain  in  the  grave  and  corrupted,  when  the 
sisters  came  out  to  meet  Jesus.  If  he  had  been 
there,  as  the  sisters  say  to  him,  and  prevented  the 
death,  or  suffered  him  to  die  and  raised  him,  there 
would  then  have  been  an  appearance  of  ostentation 
in  the  act,  which  nowhere  stamps  the  movements 
of  Jesus.  According  to  a  Jewish  custom,  Mary 
and  Martha  were  surrounded  by  comforters,  who 
were  wont  to  weep  seven  days  with  those  who 
were  in  affliction,  and  they  were  thus  situated  when 
the  message  was  given  to  Martha  that  Jesus  had 
arrived;  in  great  haste  she  rose  to  meet  him,  not 
even  delaying  long  enough  to  tell  Mary  the  glad 
news,  who  "sat  still  in  the  house." 

"  One  grief,  one  faith,  oh,  sisters  of  the  dead, 
Was  in  your  bosoms. 

And  which  to  Him,  the  All-seeing  and  All-just, 
Was  loveliest,  that  quick  zeal,  or  lowly  trust  V 

Oh,  mortal !  question  not,  for  we  are  told  he  loved 
Mary  and  her  sister  Martha,  and  they  found  sym- 
pathy, full  and  satisfying,  in  the  Saviour's  heart  and 
tears.  The  answer  of  our  Saviour  to  Martha  is 
somewhat  vague  to  her  understanding,  and  we  infer 
from  her  words  to  him  that  she  addresses  him  as  a 
prophet,  and  not  as  the  Incarnate  Son  of  God.  He 
reminds  her  that  life  is  in  Him,  and  is  imparted  to 


JOHN.  303 

the  faithful  by  union  with  Him,  and  as  if  to  impress 
the  truth  upon  her,  questions  her  closely  and  con- 
vincingly of  her  belief  in  Him  as  the  Messiah.  It 
is  then  that  she  awakens  to  a  knowledge  of  tlie 
truth,  and  hastens  to  call  her  sister,  who  uses  the 
same  language ;  they  do  not  ask  a  restoration  to  life 
for  their  brother — they  know  not  what  they  need; 
they  know  Jesus  can  do  all  things,  and  in  sorrow 
and  grief  they  come  to  him. 

The  Prayers  as  recorded. — John  xi. 

20  Then  Martha,  as  soon  as  she  heard  that  Jesus  was  coming, 
went  and  met  him,  but  Mary  sat  still  in  the  house. 

21  Then  said  Martha  unto  Jesus,  Lord,  if  thou  hadst  been 
here  my  brother  had  not  died . 

22  But  I  know  that  even  now,  whatsoever  thou  wilt  ask  of 
God,  God  will  give  it  thee. 

The  Lord''s  Answer. — John  xi. 

23  Jesus  saith  unto  her,  thy  brother  shall  rise  again. 

24  Martha  saith  unto  him,  I  know  that  he  shall  rise  again  in 
the  resurrection  at  the  last  day, 

25  Jesus  said  unto  her,  T  am  the  resurrection  and  the  Life,  he 
that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live. 

26  And  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die. 
Believest  thou  this  ? 

27  She  saith  unto  him,  Yea,  Lord,  I  believe  thou  art  the 
Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  which  should  come  into  the  world. 

Mary'^s  Prayer. — John  xi. 
32  Then  when  Mary  was  come  where  Jesus  was,  and  saw 
him,  she  fell  down  at  his  feet,  saying  unto  him.  Lord,  if  thou 
hadst  been  here,  my  brother  had  not  died. 


304:  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

The  LorcVs  Answer. — John  xi. 
35  Jesus  wept. 

The  Prayer  of  Jesus  at  the  grave^  as  recorded. — John  xi. 

41  And  Jesus  lifted  up  his  eyes  and  said,  Father  I  thanli  tliee 
tliat  thou  hast  heard  me. 

42  And  I  Icnew  that  thou  hearest  me  always  :  but  because  of 
the  people  which  stand  by  I  said  it,  that  tliey  may  believe  that 
thou  hast  sent  me. 

The  Ansiver. — John  xi. 

43  And  when  h.e  thus  had  spoken,  he  cried  with  a  loud  voice, 
Lazarus,  come  forth. 

44  And  he  tliat  was  dead  came  forth,  bound  haad  and  foot 
with  grave  clothes,  and  his  face  was  bound  about  with  a  napkin. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  PHILIP. 

Philip  seems  to  have  possessed  rather  confused 
ideas  with  regard  to  the  divinity  of  the  Savionr;  we 
infer  this  from  not  only  the  prayer,  but  the  gentle 
rebuke  of  Jesus  in  reply  to  it.  It  seems  the  simple 
announcement  of  the  truth  that  he  was  one  with  the 
Father,  was  not  suificient  for  Philip,  but  he  wished 
some  remarkable  demonstration  of  it ;  and  are  there 
not  many  Philips  now  ?  many  who  are  not  willing 
to  accept  this  mystery  simply  because  it  is  the  truth 
of  God,  Shall  a  man  comprehend  his  Maker?  or 
finite  fathom  infinity  ? 


JOHN.  305 

If  Grod  be  nothing  more  than  one,  a  child  can 
compass  the  thought.  But  seraphs  fail  to  unravel 
the  wondrous  unity  of  three. 

"It  is  written,  and  so  we  believe, 
Waiting  not  for  outward  proof, 
Inasmuch  as  mysteries  inscrutable 
Are  the  clear  prerogatives  of  Godhead." 

Christ's  answer  to  Philip  is  full  of  love,  and  his 
explanation  of  the  union  of  believers  with  himself 
and  the  Father,  is  clear  and  comforting  to  the  Chris- 
tian heart.  However  weak  your  faith,  or  burdened 
your  spirit,  you  have  here  a  gentle  word  of  encour- 
agement. In  view  of  his  separation  from  his  disci- 
ples, Jesus  seems  to  pour  out  a  large  and  full  meas- 
ure of  those  precious  promises  which  have  cheered 
the  path  of  many  a  lonely  and  broken-hearted  one, 
many  a  timid  and  struggling  child,  to  the  arms  of 
that  "friend  that  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother." 
We  have  here,  too,  another  announcement  of  that 
sacred  truth,  that  Jesus  is  our  intercessor  and  advo- 
cate with  the  Father,  that  though  the  world  see  him 
not,  yet  his  children  see  him,  and  he  is  ever  present 
to  comfort  and  guide  them. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — John  xiv. 

8  Philip  saith  unto  him,  Lord,  shew  us  the  Father,  and  it  sufli- 
ceth  us. 


306  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 


The  Lord's  Answer. — Jolm  xiv. 

9  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  Have  1  been  so  long  time  with  you, 
and  yet  hast  thou  not  known  me,  Philip  ?  he  that  hath  seen  rae 
hath  seen  the  Father;  and  how  sayest  thou  then,  Shew  us  the 
Father  ? 

10  Believest  thou  not  that  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father 
in  me  ?  the  words  that  1  speak  unto  you  I  speak  not  of  myself: 
but  the  Father  that  dwelleth  in  me,  he  doeth  the  works. 

1 1  Believe  me  that  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father  in  me : 
or  else  believe  me  for  the  very  works'  sake. 

12  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  He  that  believeth  on  me,  the 
works  that  I  do  shall  he  do  also;  and  greater  works  than  these 
shall  he  do :  because  I  go  unto  my  Father. 

13  And  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  my  name,  that  will  I  do, 
that  the  Father  may  be  glorified  in  the  Son. 

14  If  ye  shall  ask  anything  in  my  name,  I  will  do  it. 

15  If  ye  love  rae,  keep  my  commandments. 

16  And  I  will  pray  the  Father,  and  he  shall  give  you  another 
Comforter,  that  he  may  abide  with  you  for  ever; 

17  Even  the  spirit  of  b-uth ;  whom  the  world  cannot  receive, 
because  it  seeth  him  not,  neither  knoweth  him:  but  ye  know 
him,  for  he  dwelleth  with  you.  and  shall  be  in  you. 

18  I  will  not  leave  you  comfortless:  I  will  come  to  you. 

19  Yet  a  little  while,  and  the  world  seeth  me  no  more;  but 
ye  see  me :  because  I  live,  ye  shall  live  also. 

20  At  that  day  ye  shall  know  that  I  am  in  my  Father,  and  ye 
in  me,  and  I  in  you. 


JOHN.  307 


THE  PRAYER  OF  JUDAS,  NOT  ISCARIOT. 

This  prayer  and  its  answer  furnishes  a  satisfying 
evidence  to  all  believers  that  Christ  is  ever  present 
with  them.  Our  Saviour,  in  reply  to  Judas,  as  to 
how  he  would  manifest  himself  when  the  time  of  his 
departure  came,  reminds  him  that  a  disposition  to 
obey  his  commandments  and  love  him  would  always 
be  a  proof  of  his  presence  with  them.  As  a  pre- 
cious remembrance  he  promised  peace  that  the  world 
know  not  of,  peace  and  joy  in  believing.  Let  not 
your  hearts  be  troubled,  he  says,  but  rejoice;  my 
day  of  humiliation  is  over ;  I  have  taken  upon  my- 
self the  form  of  man ;  have  been  made  flesh  and 
dwelt  among  you;  my  Father  is,  in  one  sense, 
greater  than  I — Scott  says,  as  an  ambassador  is  equal 
in  nature,  but  is  inferior  in  office,  to  the  prince  that 
commissioned  him,  so  Christ,  in  humblirig  himself, 
and  leaving  the  Father,  as  God  manifest  in  the  flesh, 
has  made  the  words  that  occur  in  the  answer  to  this 
prayer  appropriate.  Our  Saviour  has  promised 
peace  to  all  that  love  him  and  keep  his  command- 
ments ;  no  doubts  or  fears  should  find  a  home  in  the 
hearts  of  those  who  follow  him ;  nothing  but  joy, 
whose  tide  swells  broader  and  deeper  as  they  trust 
in  the  promises,  and  seek  the  mercy-seat.  We  can- 
not refrain  from  dwelling  a  moment  on  a  sin  com- 
mon among  Christians,  and  indulged  by  those  who 


808  TnE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

no  doubt   are   the   followers   of  Christ,    but    they 
know  not  how  many  Ihey  are  keeping  away  from 
those  paths  of  pleasantness  and  peace  in  which  they 
have  been  permitted  to  walk ;  it  is  the  sin  of  clothing 
the  joyful  religion  of  Jesus  in  a  dark  robe  of  gloom, 
and  in  wearing  upon  the  countenance  the  forbidding, 
repulsive  look  of  sorrow.     This  is  not  the  index  of 
that  joy  and  peace  which  may  be  the  Cliristian's, 
that  spirit  which  the  Saviour  promised  to  the  pray- 
ing Judas,  and  which  he  has  left  as  a  legacy  to  his 
children.     Clirist  came  in  love,  and  not  with  a  rod  ; 
let  us  then  imitate  his  blessed  example,  when  we 
would  win  others  to  walk  with  us  in  the   "  green 
pastures,  and  by  the  side  of  still  waters."     If  we 
have  tasted  and  seen  that  the  Lord  is  good,  if  our 
ej^es  have  been  opened  to  see  ourselves  as  sinners, 
and  we  have  been  washed  in  tlie  blood  of  Jesus,  and 
are  clinging  to  his  cross ;  if  the  promises,  and  the 
full  and  sufficient  sacrifice,  are  ours,  have  we  not 
reason,  above  all  others,  to  rejoice?     If  we  cannot, 
the  fault  is  not  in  our  religion,  it  is  in  ourselves,  and 
somewhere  in  a  dark  corner  of  our   hearts  sin  is 
still  treasured.     We  regard  it  a  sin  to  be  gioomy  ; 
the  Christian  may  have  tears  to  shed  over  his  wan- 
derings, and  sighs  to  heave  over  the  wickedness  about 
him,  but  these  belong  to  the  hidden  sanctuary  of  his 
own  chamber,  and  not  to  the  world.     We  regard  it 
as  a  Christian  duty  always  to  be  cheerful ;  much 
may  here  be  said  of  natural  temperament,  and  the 


JOHN".  309 

great  influence  of  the  body  over  the  mind,  but 
prayer  is  a  panacea  for  every  kind  of  wealvness, 
either  mental,  spiritual,  or  physical ;  the  wh(jle 
man  is  brought  under  its  power,  and  the  weak  one 
may  forget  his  pains,  the  nervous  be  quieted,  the  sick 
may  rejoice,  as  long  as  he  lingers  near  the  Saviour, 
trusts  in  the  promises,  and  loves  the  mercy-seat. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — John  xiv. 

22  And  Judas  saith  unto  him  (not  Iscariot),  Lord,  how  is  it 
that  thou  wilt  manifest  thyself  unto  us  and  not  unto  the  world  ? 

The  Lord''s  Anstver. — John  xiv. 

23  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  him,  if  a  man  love  me,  he 
will  keep  my  words,  and  my  Father  will  love  him,  and  we  will 
come  unto  him  and  make  our  abode  with  him. 

24  He  that  loveth  me  not  keepeth  not  ray  sayings,  and  the 
word  which  ye  hear  is  not  mine,  but  the  Father's  which  sent 
me. 

25  These  things  have  I  spoken  unto  you,  being  yet  present 
with  you. 

26  But  the  Comforter,  which  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom  the 
Father  will  send  in  my  name,  he  shall  teach  you  all  things,  and 
bring  all  things  to  your  remembrance,  whatsoever  I  have  said 
unto  you. 

27  Peace  I  leave  with  you,  my  peace  I  give  unto  you :  not  as 
the  world  giveth,  give  I  unto  you.  Let  not  your  hearts  be 
troubled,  neither  let  it  be  afraid. 

28  Ye  have  heard  how  I  said  unto  you,  I  go  away,  and  come 
again  unto  you.  If  ye  loved  me,  ye  would  rejoice,  because  I 
said,  I  go  unto  the  Father  :  for  my  Father  is  greater  than  L 


310  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 

29  And  now  I  have  told  you  before  it  came  to  pass,  that, 
when  it  is  come  to  pass,  ye  might  believe. 

30  Hereafter  I  will  not  talk  much  with  you :  for  the  prince 
of  this  world  cometh,  and  hath  nothing  in  me. 

31  But  that  the  world  may  know  that  I  love  the  Father,  and 
as  the  Father  gave  me  commandment,  even  so  I  do.  Arise,  let 
us  go  hence. 


A  TRAYER  OF  OUR  SAVIOUR. 

This  prayer  has  been  the  foundation  of  the  church 
of  God  from  the  creation  of  the  world,  is  now, 
and  ever  will  be,  to  the  consummation  of  all  things. 
Through  all  the  instructions  of  our  Saviour  to  his 
apostles,  he  addressed  them  as  the  Incarnate  Son  of 
God,  but  when  he  comes  to  the  mercy-seat  in  pray- 
er, he  comes  as  a  man  imploring  of  his  Father.  He 
asks  of  God  to  glorify  his  Son,  to  restore  him  that 
place  in  heaven  which  he  had  with  the  Father  be- 
fore the  world  was.  "  In  the  beginning  was  the 
word,  and  the  word  was  with  God,  and  the  word 
was  God."  This  prayer  was  not  only  made  for  the 
eleven  apostles,  but  included  the  seventy  disciples, 
and  the  whole  church  of  God,  the  whole  body  of 
believers,  no  matter  what  their  name  or  station,  rank 
or  office,  among  all  generations  of  men.  Lift  up 
your  hearts,  ye  poor  and  forsaken  ones.     If  ye  have 


JOHN.  311 

been  born  again,  the  Father  bath  given  you  to  the 
Saviour.  Tliis  prayer  is  yours — your  hope,  your 
comfort,  j^our  consolation,  your  all.  Our  Saviour 
by  it  consecrates  himself  as  the  great  atoning  sacri- 
fice for  lost  and  rained  man ;  he  tells  us  the  world 
will  hate  those  that  love  him,  because  they  are  not 
of  the  world,  and  prays  that  the  Father  may  sancti- 
fy them  by  his  truth— his  word  is  truth.  By  the 
"  son  of  perdition,"  is  meant  Judas,  the  betrayer  of 
his  Lord  and  Master.  The  Saviour's  words,  in  the 
few  concluding  verses,  should  encourage  unity  among 
Christians,  take  away  every  wall  of  partition  that  now 
separates  the  church  of  God,  and  should  make  all  true 
believers  one  in  Christ  Jesus.  In  the  language  of 
another,  we  would  say  here,  "  The  religious  profes- 
sions and  opinions  of  some  have  too  much  of  mere 
machinery  in  their  composition.  If  every  wheel, 
pivot,  chain,  spring,  cog,  or  pinion,  be  not  exactly  in 
its  place,  or  move  not  precisely  according  to  a  favor- 
ite and  prescribed  system,  the  whole  is  rejected  as 
unworthy  of  regard.  Ye  who  are  so  warmly  striv- 
ing for  your  rights  as  churchmen,  aixl  churchwomen, 
in  vain  do  you  try  to  narrow  the  limits  of  these 
world-covering  words  of  the  Saviour's  prayer;  ye 
may  not,  ye  cannot,  ye  dare  not,  when  ye  read  and 
ponder  over  them.  Christ  loves  us  all ;  in  the  lan- 
guage of  scripture,  "  The  Lord  knoweth  them  that 
are  his,"  his  seal  is  upon  all  those  who  name  the  name 


312  THE   PEAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

of  Christ  and  depart  from  iniquity ;  we  are  all  one 
in  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Spirit,  on  earth,  and 
will  all  be  gathered  into  one  fold,  under  one  Shep- 
herd, in  lieaven. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — John  xvii. 

1  These  words  spake  Jesus,  and  lifted  up  his  eyes  to  heaven, 
and  said,  Father,  the  hour  is  come ;  glorify  thy  Son,  that  thy 
Son  also  may  glorify  thee  : 

2  As  thou  hast  given  him  power  over  all  flesh,  that  he  should 
give  eternal  life  to  as  many  as  thou  hast  given  him. 

3  And  this  is  life  eternal,  that  they  might  know  thee  the  only 
true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ,  whom  thou  hast  sent. 

4  I  have  glorified  thee  on  the  earth :  I  have  finished  the  work 
which  thou  gavest  me  to  do. 

5  And  now,  O  Father,  glorify  thou  me  with  thine  own  self 
with  the  glory  which  I  had  with  thee  before  the  world  was. 

6  I  have  manifested  thy  name  unto  the  men  which  thou 
gavest  me  out  of  the  world:  thine  they  were,  and  thou  gavest 
them  me  ;  and  they  have  kept  thy  word. 

7  Now  they  have  known  that  all  things  whatsoever  thou  hast 
given  me  are  of  thee. 

8  For  I  have  given  unto  them  the  words  which  thou  gavest 
me ;  and  they  have  received  them,  and  have  known  surely  that 
I  came  out  from  thee,  and  they  have  believed  that  thou  didst 
send  me. 

9  I  pray  for  them :  I  pray  not  for  the  world,  but  for  them 
which  thou  hast  given  me ;  for  tiiey  are  mine. 

10  And  all  mine  are  thine,  and  thine  are  mine  ;  and  I  am  glo- 
rified in  them. 

11  And  now  I  am  no  more  in  the  world,  but  these  are  in  the 
^orld,  and  I  come  to  thee.     Holy  Father,  keep  through  thine 


-   JOHN.  3ia 

own  name  those  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  that  they  may  be 
one,  as  we  are. 

12  While  I  was  with  them  in  the  world,  I  kept  them  in  thy 
name ;  those  that  thou  gavest  me  I  have  kept,  and  none  of  them 
is  lost,  but  the  son  of  perdition ;  that  the  scripture  might  be 
fulfilled. 

13  And  now  come  I  to  thee ;  and  these  things  I  speak  in  the 
world,  that  they  might  have  my  joy  fulfilled  in  themselves. 

14  I  have  given  them  thy  word;  and  the  world  hath  hated 
them,  because  they  are  not  of  the  world,  even  as  I  am  not  of  the 
world. 

15  I  pray  not  that  thou  shouldest  take  them  out  of  the  world, 
but  that  thou  shouldest  keep  them  from  the  evil. 

16  They  are  not  of  the  world,  even  as  I  am  not  of  the  world. 

17  Sanctify  them  through  thy  truth;  thy  word  is  truth. 

18  As  thou  hast  sent  me  into  the  world,  even  so  have  I  also 
sent  them  into  the  world. 

19  And  for  their  sakes  I  sanctify  myself,  that  they  also  might 
be  sanctified  through  the  truth. 

20  Neither  pray  I  for  these  alone,  but  for  them  also  which 
shall  believe  on  me  through  their  word; 

21  That  they  all  may  be  one;  as  tiiou,  Father,  art  in  me,  and 
I  in  thee,  that  they  also  may  be  one  in  us;  that  the  world  may 
believe  that  thou  hast  sent  me. 

22  And  the  glory  which  thou  gavest  me  I  have  given  them ; 
that  they  may  be  one,  even  as  we  are  one : 

23  I  in  them,  and  thou  in  me,  that  they  may  be  made  perfect 
in  one;  and  that  the  world  may  know  that  thou  hast  sent  me, 
and  hast  loved  them,  as  thou  hast  loved  me. 

24  Father,  I  will  that  they  also,  whom  thou  hast  given  me, 
be  with  me  where  I  am ;  that  tliey  may  behold  my  glory,  which 
thou  hast  given  me  ;  for  thou  lovedst  me  before  the  foundation 
of  the  world. 


S14  THE   PRAYEES   OF  THE  BIBLE. 

26  O  righteous  Father,  the  world  hath  not  known  thee  :  but 
I  have  known  thee,  and  these  have  known  that  thou  hast  sent 
me. 

26  And  I  have  declared  unto  them  thy  name,  and  will  declare 
it:  that  the  love  wherewith  thou  hast  loved  me  may  be  in  thera, 
and  I  in  them. 


A  PRAYER  OF  THE  APOSTLES. 

It  was  the  custom  of  the  followers  of  our  Saviour, 
while  he  was  yet  on  earth,  to  meet  for  conference  and 
jDrayer.  On  an  occasion  of  this  kind  Peter  stood  up 
to  address  the  meeting  on  the  subject  of  appointing 
some  one  of  their  number  to  fill  the  place  of  Judas, 
the  betrayer  of  our  Lord,  who  had  taken  his  own 
life,  and  died  a  horrible  death.  Peter  proposes  that  he 
shall  be  chosen  from  among  those  who  had  attended 
upon  the  Saviour's  teachings  from  the  very  begin- 
ning of  his  ministry,  so  that  he  might  teach  the 
truths  taught  him,  and  be  with  the  rest  a  witness 
of  the  resurrection.  Two  are  selected,  and  the  mat- 
ter is  made  a  subject  of  praj^er.  To  Gocl,  their  great 
guide  and  counsellor,  the  choice  is  left,  and  when 
the  lots  are  drawn,  Matthias  is  the  chosen  one.  There 
is  no  special  power  or  authority  granted  to  one  more 
than  the  other,  not  even  to  Peter,  as  some  have 
claimed;  for  Paul,  in  Gal.  ii.  11,  withstood  Peter  be- 
cause he  was  to  be  blamed  ;  he  therefore  was  not  in- 


ACTS.  815 

fallible,  altliougli  he  was  honored  by  being  the  first 
to  preach  the  gospel  to  Jew  and  Grentile.  God's 
chosen  ministers  have  a  high  commission,  and  should 
be  selected  for  their  holy  oflice  with  prayer  for  guid- 
ance in  the  choice — we  are  taught  this  lesson  by  the 
prayer  of  the  apostles  ;  but  the  only  apostolic  mark 
God  requires  them  to  bear  is  that  which  is  stamped 
by  the  Holy  Spirit  in  their  hearts ;  they  should  be 
men  of  prayer,  men  following  closely  the  footsteps 
of  the  Saviour,  and  like  Enoch  of  old,  walking  with 
God  ;  such  have  a  passport  from  on  high  to  the  bap- 
tismal font,  the  marriage  altar,  to  the  house  of  God, 
and  the  gate  of  heaven. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Acts  i. 

24  And  they  prayed,  and  said,  Thou,  Lord,  which  knoweth 
the  hearts  of  all  men,  shew  whether  of  these  two  thou  hast 
chosen, 

25  That  he  m.iy  take  part  of  this  ministry,  and  apostleship, 
from  which  Judas  by  transgression  fell,  that  he  might  go  to  his 
own  place. 

The  Lord''s  Ansioer. — Acts  i. 

26  And  they  gave  forth  their  lots,  and  the  lot  fell  upon  Mat- 
thias;  and  he  was  numbered  with  the  eleven  apostles. 


»16  THE   PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  CHURCH. 
This  prayer  is  made  by  a  company  of  the  Saviour's 
followers,  probably  the  hundred  and  twenty  hereto- 
fore mentioned.  They  speak  of  a  prophecy  here 
which  God  had  before  spoken  by  his  prophet  David, 
concerning  the  Messiah.  Before  our  Lord's  cruci- 
fixion the  apostles  had  overlooked  every  prediction 
of  this  kind,  but  now  they  are  part  of  the  knowledge 
of  each  heart.  Scott  says:  "The  language  used  in 
applying  this  prophecy  to  the  '  child  Jesus,'  may  re- 
fer to  his  immaculate  conception  by  the  Holy  Spirit, 
this  unction  of  the  spirit  preserved  him  holy  through 
all  the  trials  and  temptations  to  which  he  was  ex- 
posed ;  this  aggravated  the  guilt  of  Pilate,  the  pro- 
fessed idolator,  his  attendants,  Herod,  the  king,  and 
the  bulk  of  the  Jewish  nation,  who  treated  him  with 
cruelty  and  contempt."  This  is  a  united  pra3^er,  the 
whole  company  are  influenced  by  the  spirit  of  Jesus ; 
it  alludes  to  God's  foreknowledge  and  determination 
of  things  future ;  they  ask  for  boldness  to  proclaim 
the  word  of  truth,  for  they  had  been  injured,  and 
threatened  by  those  who  had  crucified  the  Saviour, 
and  had  need  of  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  de- 
fend and  help  them,  in  spreading  the  knowledge  of 
God  in  the  world.  Their  prayer  is  answered,  their 
hearts  are  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  they  are  now 
no  more  in  bondage  to  sin,  for  grace  hath  set  them 
free ;  all  and  everything  they  possess  is  given  to 


ACTS.  317 

their  Maker;  one  spirit  of  love  and  union  pervades 
the  whole  company,  and  they  speak  with  boldness 
the  word  of  God, 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Acts  iv. 

23  And  being  let  go,  they  went  to  their  own  company,  and 
reported  all  that  the  chief  priests  and  ciders  had  said  unto  them. 

24  And  when  they  heard  that,  they  lifted  up  their  voices  to 
God  with  one  accord,  and  said,  Lord,  thou  art  God,  wliich  hast 
made  heaven  and  earth,  and  the  sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is  : 

25  Who  by  the  mouth  of  thy  servant  David  hast  s;iid.  Why 
did  the  heathen  rage,  and  the  people  imagine  vain  things? 

26  The  kings  of  the  earth  stood  up,  and  tiie  rulers  were 
gathered  together  against  the  Lord,  and  against  his  Christ. 

27  For  of  a  truth  against  thy  holy  child  Jesus,  whom  thou 
hast  anointed,  both  Herod,  and  Pontius  Pilate,  with  the  Gen- 
tiles, and  the  people  of  Israel,  were  gathered  together, 

28  For  to  do  .wliatsoever  thy  hand  and  thy  counsel  deter- 
mined before  to  be  done. 

27  And  now.  Lord,  behold  their  threatenings :  and  grant  un- 
to thy  servants,  that  with  all  boldness  they  may  speak  thy  word, 

30  By  stretching  forth  thine  hand  to  heal ;  and  that  signs  and 
wonders  may  be  done  by  the  name  of  thy  holy  child  Jesus. 

The  Ansiver. — Acts  iv. 

31  And  when  they  had  prayed,  the  place  was  shaken  where 
they  were  assembled  together;  and  they  were  all  filled  with  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  they  spake  the  word  of  God  with  boldness. 

32  And  the  multitude  of  them  that  believed  were  of  one  heart 
and  of  one  soul ;  neither  said  any  of  them  that  aught  of  the 
things  which  he  possessed  was  his  own  ;  but  they  had  all  things 
common. 


818  THE   PEAYERS   OF   TUE   BIBLE. 

33  And  with  great  power  gave  the  apostles  witness  of  the 
resurrection  of  the  Lord  Jesus:  and  great  grace  was  upon  tliem 
all. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  STEPHEN. 

Stephen  is  usually  known  as  the  first  martyr,  he 
was  also  one  of  the  seven  "  men  of  honest  report," 
who  were  elected  to  relieve  the  twelve  apostles  of  a 
certain  class  of  their  labors.  He  was  a  man  full  of 
faith  and  the  Holy  Spirit.  In  the  chapter  in  which 
his  prayer  is  recorded,  we  read  of  his  defense  against 
false  and  cruel  charges,  his  powerful  exhibition  of 
the  truth,  and  its  effect  on  the  people,  among  whom 
was  Saul  of  Tarsus.  The  people  were  so  maddened 
and  excited  by  his  words,  that  they  drove  him  be- 
yond the  walls  of  the  city,  and  there  stoned  him  to 
death.  In  the  petition  of  the  expiring  Stephen  is 
the  same  gentle  spirit  of  forgiveness  shown  by 
the  Saviour  toward  his  enemies;  a  spirit,  which 
nothing  but  the  grace  of  God  in  the  heart  can  pro- 
duce, and  which  none  but  the  true  Christian  pos- 
sesses. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Acts  vii. 

59  And  they  stoned  Steplien,  calling  upon  God,  and  saying, 
Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit. 

60  And  he  kneeled  down,  and  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  Lord, 
lay  not  this  sin  to  their  charge.  And  when  he  had  said  this,  he 
.fell  asleep. 


ACTS.  319 


THE  PRAYER  OF  SAUL  OF  TARSUS,  AFTER   HIS    CON- 
VERSION. 

"Behold,  lie  prayetli."  'He  who  had  breathed 
out  threatenings  and  slaughter,  had  persecuted  the 
church,  despised  and  abused  the  followers  of  Christ, 
now  breathes  the  vital  breath  of  a  Christian,  and 
through  all  his  subsequent  life  inculcates  the  doc- 
trine of  repentance  towards  God,  and  faith  in  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  enjoins,  more  than  all  the  sacred 
writers,  the  duty  of  always  "praying  with  all  pray- 
er and  supplication  in  the  spirit,  and  watching  there- 
to with  all  perseverance."  And  what  has  caused  this 
great  change  in  Saul  of  Tarsus  ?  The  ardent,  zeal- 
ous persecutor  is  a  child  of  God,  the  Holy  Spirit, 
with  his  enlightening,  purifying  iDfluence,  has  caused 
him  to  renounce  all  confidence  in  his  own  virtues; 
his  strong  will  is  now  submissive  to  that  of  his  Ma- 
ker ;  he  seeks  to  be  justified  not  by  his  own  merits, 
but  by  the  Saviour ;  to  use  his  own  forcible  words, 
it  has  been  "  given  him  to  believe."  All  tliis  revo- 
lution in  the  mind  and  heart  of  Saul  must  be  attrib- 
uted, then,  to  the  divine  infusion  of  faith  in  his 
heart ;  it  is  not  a  mere  conviction  of  his  understand- 
ing, but  a  new  life-giving  principle,  which  fills  his 
whole  soul  with  new  motives,  new  desires ;  its  nature 
is  spiritual,  and  the  holy  spark  is  only  kept  alive  by 
spiritual  communion  with  the  great  God  who  first 


820  THE   PEAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

kindled  it  in  tbc  soul.  "It  gatliers  energy  as  it  pro- 
ceeds; the  more  advanced  are  its  attainments,  the 
more  prospective  are  its  views.  The  nearer  it  ap- 
proaches to  the  invisible  realities  to  which  it  is 
stretching  forward,  the  more  their  dominion  over  it 
increases^  till  it  almost  makes  the  future  present,  and 
the  unseen  visible."  Its  light  becomes  brighter,  its 
flame  purer,  its  aspirations  stronger,  as  life  advances, 
and  it  approximates  to  its  great  object.  This  faith 
is  an  active  principle,  hence  the  prayer  of  Saul;  the 
will  of  God  was  henceforward  to  guide  him,  not  his 
own  desires,  or  the  sinful  corruptions  of  his  natural 
heart.  God  hath  taken  away  that  stony  heart,  and 
hath  given  a  heart  of  flesh ;  he  is  born  again  ;  and 
now  what  is  his  work  on  earth,  what  will  the  Lord 
have  him  to  do.  Chosen  as  the  apostle  to  the  Gen- 
tiles, to  tell  of  the  riches  and  freeness  of  the  grace  of 
our  God  and  Saviour,  his  soul  was  filled  with  inces- 
sant desires  to  advance  the  cause  of  the  Eedeemer. 
And  is  this  he  who  so  short  time  ago  courted  the 
favor  of  the  intolerant  Sanhedrim,  who  hailed  men 
and  women  to  prison,  and  who  bitterly  persecuted 
the  followers  of  Christ  ?  It  is  Saul  of  Tarsus,  but 
over  his  heart  has  come  that  change,  without  which 
no  child  of  Adam  can  be  saved.  This  doctrine,  so 
plainly  exemplified  in  the  case  of  Saul,  is  jeered  at 
by  the  learned,  the  wise,  the  foolish,  and  the  weak  ; 
but  the  Church  of  God,  and  the  whole  body  of  faith- 
ful followers  of  Christ,  since  Saul  trembling  and  as- 


ACTS.  821 

tonislied  made  this  prayer,  will  bear  testimony  to 
its  truth.  In  the  language  of  another  we  would  say, 
"  Let  not  the  timid  Christian  be  discouraged,  let  not 
his  faith  in  this  doctrine  be  shaken,  though  he  may 
find  that  the  principle  to  which  he  trusts  his  eternal 
happiness  is  considered  false  by  him  who  knows 
nothing  of  its  truth,  that  the  change,  of  which  the 
sound  believer  exhibits  so  convincing  an  evidence, 
is  derided  as  absurd  by  the  philosophical  skeptic, 
treated  as  chimerical  by  the  superficial  reasoner,  or 
silently  suspected  as  incredible  by  the  decent  moral- 
ist." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Acts  ix, 

3  And  as  he  journeyed,  he  came  near  Damascus :  and  sud- 
denly there  shined  round  about  him  a  light  from  heaven  : 

4  And  he  fell  to  the  earth, and  heard  a  voice  saying  unto  him, 
Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutest  thou  me  1 

5  And  he  said,  Who  art  thou.  Lord  ? 

The  Lord's  Ansivcr. — Acts  ix. 

5  And  the  Lord  said,  I  am  Jesus,  whom  thou  persecutest ;  it 
is  hard  for  thee  to  kick  against  the  pricks. 

Continuation  of  the  Prayer. — Acts  ix. 

6  And  he  trembling  and  astonishedaHi,,Lord,  what  wilt  thou 
have  me  to  do  ? 

The  Lord''s  Answer 

6  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him.  Arise,  and  go  into  the  city,  and 
it  shall  be  told  thee  what  thou  must  do. 


322  THE   PRAYERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

7  And  the  men  which  journeyed  with  him  stood  speechless, 
hearing  a  voice,  but  seeing  no  man. 

8  And  Saul  arose  from  the  earth ;  and  when  his  eyes  were 
opened,  he  saw  no  man :  but  they  led  him  by  the  hand,  and 
brought  him  into  Damascus. 

9  And  he  was  there  three  days  without  sight,  and  neither  did 
eat  nor  drink. 

10  And  there  was  a  certain  disciple  at  Damascus,  named  An- 
anias; and  to  him  said  the  Lord  in  a  vision,  Ananias.  And  he 
said,  Behold,  I  am  here.  Lord. 

11  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  Arise,  and  go  into  the  street 
which  is  called  Straight,  and  inquire  in  the  house  of  Judas  for 
one  called  Saul,  of  Tarsus  :  for,  behold,  he  prayeth, 

12  And  hath  seen  in  a  vision  a  man  named  Ananias  coming 
in,  and  putting  his  hand  on  him,  that  he  might  receive  his  sight. 

13  Then  Ananias  answered,  Lord,  I  have  heard  by  many  of 
this  man,  how  much  evil  he  hath  done  to  thy  saints  at  Jeru- 
salem. 

14  And  here  he  hath  authority  from  the  chief  priests  to  bind 
all  that  call  on  thy  name . 

15  But  the  Lord  said  unto  him.  Go  thy  way:  for  he  is  a  cho- 
sen vessel  unto  me,  to  bear  my  name  before  the  Gentiles,  and 
kings,  and  the  children  of  Israel : 

16  For  I  will  shew  him  how  great  things  he  must  suffer  for 
my  name's  sake. 

17  And  Ananias  went  his  way,  and  entered  into  the  house ; 
and  putting  his  hands  on  him,  said,  Brother  Saul,  the  Lord,  even 
Jesus,  that  appeared  unto  thee  in  the  way  as  thou  camest,  hath 
sent  me,  that  thou  mightest  receive  thy  sight,  and  be  filled  with 
the  Holy  Ghost. 

18  And  immediately  there  fell  from  his  eyes  as  it  had  been 
scales,  and  he  received  sight  forthwith,  and  arose,  and  was  bap- 
tized. 


ACTS.  323 


THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE  CHURCH  FOR  PETER. 

Eater  with  us,  reader,  the  same  dark  prison  in 
■which  the  apostles  have  been  chained  before.  There, 
between  two  soldiers,  oppressed  in  body  by  the 
heavy  chains,  lies  Peter,  watched  by  a  vigilant  sen- 
tinel. How  is  it  possible  an  escape  can  be  made  ? 
•'  God  giveth  his  beloved  sleep."  Nothing  disturbs 
the  mind  of  Peter,  although  the  next  day  he  may 
lay  down  his  life  for  the  Lord.  There  is  a  feeling 
of  firm  trust  in  Peter's  heart  that  all  will  be  well, 
and  perhaps  a  conviction  drawn  from  the  words  of 
the  Saviour  to  him,  that  his  death  would  not  occur 
till  he  was  more  aged. 

"  Sleep's  calm  wing  is  on  his  brow, 
And  thoughts  of  peace  his  spirit  lull." 

There  is  a  united  prayer  from  God's  children  as- 
cending to  heaven  for  Peter,  that  these  bars  and 
bolts  which  bind  him  may  be  broken,  and  that  body 
and  soul  may  be  free :  the  Church  prays,  and  God 
hears  and  answers.  There  is,  too,  in  the  house  of 
Mary,  the  sister  of  Barnabas,  a  prayer-meeting  that 
night,  and  Peter  in  bonds,  Peter  in  prison,  is  not 
forgotten  at  the  throne  of  grace.  The  effectual,  fer- 
vent prayer  availeth  much :  we  must  not  only  pray 
for  ourselves,  but  for  others.  God's  love  enlarges 
man's  heart,  and  fills  it  full  of  sympathy,  it  makes 


32-i  THE   PRAYERS    OP   THE    BIBLE. 

the  eye  of  the  Christian  watchful  over  the  true  in- 
terests of  others  ;  are  any  in  bonds,  we  arc  exhorted 
to  pray  for  them  ;  are  any  sick,  or  in  jDrison,  we  must 
still  pray  on ;  we  must  pray  as  individuals,  pray  as 
a  church.  Prayer  was  made  without  ceasing  for 
Peter.  This  is  the  strong  language  of  scriptnre — 
the  example  is  for  us  as  Christians.  Peter  slept 
sweetly  and  well,  for  not  even  the  strong  light  that 
filled  that  prison  cell,  nor  the  presence  of  the  angel 
aroused  him,  till  smitten  and  awakened  by  the  words 
of  the  spirit,  "  Kise  up  quickly ;"  his  fetters  are  all 
unloosed,  and  Peter  knows  it  is  the  work  of  the 
Lord.  And  was  not  his  deliverance  an  answer  to 
sincere,  earnest  prayer  ? 

The  Prayers  as  recorded. — x\cts  xii. 

6  Peter,  tlierefore,  was  kept  in  prison  :  but  prayer  was  made 
without  ceasing  of  the  church  unto  God  for  him. 

12  And  when  he  had  considered  the  thing,  he  came  to  the 
h 'Use  of  Mary,  the  mother  of  John,  whose  surname  was  iMark, 
where  many  were  gathered  together  praying. 

The  Ansiver. — Acts  xii. 

6  And  when  Herod  would  have  brought  him  forth,  the  same 
night  Peter  was  sleeping  between  two  soldiers,  bound  with  two 
chains,  and  the  keepers  before  the  door  kept  the  prison. 

7  And,  behold,  tlie  angel  of  the  Lord  came  upon  him,  and  a 
light  shined  in  the  prison ;  and  he  smote  Peter  on  the  side,  and 
raised  him  up,  saying.  Arise  up  quickly.  And  his  chains  fell  off 
from  his  hands. 


ACTS.  825 

8  And  the  angel  said  unto  him,  Gird  thyself,  and  bind  on  thy 
sandals.  And  so  he  did.  And  he  saith  unto  him.  Cast  thy  gar- 
ment about  thee,  and  follow  me. 


THE  PRA.TERS  AND  PRAISES  OF  PAUL  AND  SILAS. 

"There  be  three  chief  rivers  of  despondency,  sin,  sorrow,  fear. 

Sin  is  the  deepest,  sorrow  hath  its  shallows,  and  fear  is  a  noisy  rapid." 

In.  the  hearts  of  Paul  and  Silas  is  joy  that  the 
world  knows  not  of,  "joj  and  peace  in  believing." 
Sin  is  forgiven,  sorrow  hath  flown  awaj,  and  there 
fear  has  no  resting  place.  Within  the  gloomy  walls 
of  that  prison  are  heard  "  songs  in  the  night,"  pray- 
er to  the  Grod  of  Israel :  they  are  not  captives ;  man 
cannot  bind  their  spirits,  it  is  only  the  poor  clay  ten- 
ement he  has  cruelly  imprisoned,  their  souls  are  free. 
Chained  in  that  low  dungeon,  suffering  from  the 
chastisement  of  the  preceding  day,  instead  of  the 
groan  of  pain,  the  curse  against  the  magistrates  who 
had  caused  them  to  suffer  for  spreading  and  teaching 
the  truth,  the  prisoners,  who  are  confined  with  them, 
are  awakened  at  the  hour  of  midnight  by  the  voice 
of  prayer,  and  the  hymn  of  praise.  Paul  and  Silas 
are  singing  in  that  prison  cell ;  it  is  music  hallowed 
to  God's  service,  sweet  breathings  of  the  spirit, 
whose  strains  are  caught  by  waiting  angels,  and  car- 
ried to  heaven,  to  swell  the  choru^  which  is  sung 
15 


326  THE   PRAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE.    ' 

there  to  the  praise  of  God  and  the  Lamb  for  ever. 
And  why  are  their  fellow  prisoners  lost  in  wonder 
as  their  midnight  praises  reach  their  ears  ?  "Why 
does  the  world  look  on  in  astonishment,  as  it  sees  a 
smile  lightening  np  the  face  of  the  suffering  Chris- 
tian, the  child  of  God,  calm  in  the  midst  of  trial,  rich 
in  poverty,  singing  in  prison,  and  filled  with  hope  ? 
Oh,  they  see,  but  they  know  not  what  is  swelling 
the  harmony  in  these  calm  hearts  of  Paul  and  Silas. 
It  is  a  spirit  born  of  heaven ;  its  holy  source,  the 
great  God  himself;  it  is  the  moon  that  lights  this 
little  night  of  time,  the  night  before  a  glorious 
morning.  Paul  and  Silas  realize  what  David,  the 
sweet  singer  of  Israel,  expresses  so  beautifully: 
"  The  Lord  will  command  his  loving  kindness  in 
the  day  time,  and  in  the  night  his  songs  shall  be  with 
me."  And,  reader,  the  spirit  of  Paul  and  Silas  may 
be  yours.  You,  too,  may  through  all  your  trials, 
and  the  clouds  that  gather  so  thickly  over  you,  may 
look  up  and  pra}^;  instead  of  the  tears  that  now 
bathe  your  sorrow-worn  cheeks,  the  light  of  joy  may 
be  there ;  but  before  you  can  realize  all  this 

"  Your  hearts  must  cast  off  their  slough  of  darkness, 
Their  eclipse  of  hell  and  sin." 

Your  spirit,  bound  to  earth,  must  be  unloosened 
from  its  fetters  here,  would  you  breathe  with  Paul 
and  Silas  the  pure  air  of  heaven.  God  will  take 
away  all  that  is  bearing  your  spirits  downward,  all 


ACTS. 


527 


tliat  is  binding  them  to  deceitful,  unsatisfying  eartli. 
Ere  you  wait  to  see  the  idol  mouldering  to  ashes, 
the  phantom  fading  away,  give  your  heart  and  its 
affections  to  God  ;  your  spirit  then  will  sing  a  purer, 
holier  song  than  the  world  has  ever  charmed  you 
with;  and  in  the  prison  house  of  earth  your  spirit 
may  be  free.  Is  your  head  bowed  by  the  weight  of 
sorrow  in  your  heart,  and  the  thousand  strings  of 
that  "  harp"  shattered  and  broken,  God's  spirit  can 
bring  from  them  strains  of  heavenly  music ;  hymns 
at  morning,  hymns  at  midnight;  man  cannot  do 
this — earth,  with  all  its  wealth,  cannot  give  your 
spirit  rest — none  but  God,  none  but  God,  giveth 
songs  in  the  night. 

The  Prayers  and  Praises  as  recorded. — Acts  xvi. 

25  And  at  midnight  Paul  and  Silas  prayed,  and  sang-  praises 
unto  God  :  and  the  prisoners  heard  them. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Acts  xvi. 

26  And  suddenly  there  was  a  great  earthquake,  so  that  the 
foundations  of  the  prison  were  shaken:  and  immediately  all  the 
doors  were  opened,  and  every  one's  bands  were  loosed. 

27  And  the  keeper  of  the  prison  awaking  out  of  his  sleep, 
and  seeing  the  prison  doors  open,  he  drew  out  his  sword,  and 
would  have  killed  himself,  supposing  that  the  prisoners  had 
been  fled. 

28  But  Paul  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying.  Do  thyself  no 
harm  :  for  we  are  all  here. 


828  THE    PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

29  Then  he  called  for  a  light,  and  sprang  in,  and  came  tremb- 
ling, and  fell  down  before  Paul  and  Silas. 

30  And  brought  them  out,  and  said.  Sirs,  what  must  I  do  to 
to  be  saved  ? 

31  And  they  said.  Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou 
shalt  be  saved,  and  tliy  house. 

32  And  they  spake  unto  him  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  to  all 
that  were  in  his  house. 

33  And  he  took  them  the  same  hour  of  the  night,  and  washed 
their  stripes ;  and  was  baptized,  he  and  all  his,  straightway. 

34  And  when  he  had  brought  them  into  his  house,  he  set 
meat  before  them,  and  rejoiced,  believing  in  God  with  all  his 
house. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  ST.  PAUL  IN  THE  TEMPLE.  ' 

The  Lord  had  chosen  Saul,  the  persecutor,  as  his 
apostle,  to  be  a  witness  of  the  resurrection  to  men 
of  all  nations,  and  to  teach  the  wonderful  truths  of 
God ;  to  tell  what  he  had  himself  seen  and  heard ;  to 
set  forth  to  them  the  first  elements  of  the  gospel  as  a 
new  development  of  the  most  ancient  faith  known 
to  men ;  as  a  "  chosen  vessel "  he  was  permitted 
visions  of  "that  just  one,"  who  came  to  die  and  suf- 
fer for  man.  Some  time  after  his  conversion,  while 
worshiping  in  the  court  of  the  temple,  he  is  thrown 
into  a  trance,  and  in  this  state  of  ecstacy  he  is  per- 
mitted to  realize  the  immediate  presence  of  the  Lord 


ACTS.  329 

Jesus,  and  his  prayer  is  there  made  to  him.  Paul 
seems  to  be  fearful  that  the  people  will  not  receive 
his  testimony,  remembering,  as  they  did,  his  former 
life,  and  his  presence  at  the  stoning  of  Stephen,  as 
well  as  the  part  he  had  performed  in  his  death ;  he 
reminds  the  Lord  of  all  this,  and  would  know  his 
will  concerning  him.  St.  Paul  seems  to  realize  how 
difficult  it  will  be  for  the  worldling  to  comprehend 
the  change  in  his  heart,  in  his  life,  and  doctrine, 
caused  by  his  conversion,  and  his  words  are  very 
suggestive,  and  full  of  deep  meaning,  "  the  putting 
off  the  old  man  with  his  deeds,"  the  becoming  a 
"  new  creature,"  were  truths  he  could  not  proclaim 
in  his  own  feeble  strength.  St.  Paul  prays  like  one 
that  could  feel  for  others,  like  one  familiar  with  the 
weaknesses  of  our  nature,  who  could  allow  for  dis- 
trust, for  misapprehension,  who  expected  abuse  and 
unbelief;  he  had  not  forgotten  the  deep  pit  out  of 
which  he  had  been  taken,  and  he  knew  that  the  people 
still  remembered  him  as  Saul,  the  persecutor ;  how, 
then,  would  they  receive  him  as  the  advocate  of  a 
cause  on  which  he  had  once  trampled  ? 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Acts  xxii. 

17  And  it  came  to  pass,  that,  when  1  was  come  again  to  Je- 
rusalem, even  while  I  prayed  in  the  temple,  I  was  in  a  trance. 

18  And  saw  him  saying  unto  me,  Make  haste,  and  get  thee 
quickly  out  of  Jerusalem;  for  they  will  not  receive  thy  testi- 
mony concerning  me. 


330  THE   PRAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

19  And  I  said,  Lord,  they  know  that  I  imprisoned  and  beat 
in  every  synagogue  them  that  believed  on  Ihee : 

20  And  when  the  blood  of  thy  martyr  Stephen  was  shed,  1 
also  was  standing  by,  and  consenting  unto  his  death,  and  kept 
the  raiment  of  them  that  slew  him. 

The  Lord's  Answer. — Acts  xxii. 

21  And  he  said  unto  me,  Depart:  for  I  will  send  thee  far 
hence  unto  the  Gentiles. 


PRAYEJIS  OF  ST.  PAUL  FOR  THE  CHURCH  AT  ROME. 

St.  Paul,  like  all  who  feel  an  interest  in  the  church 
of  God,  ever  remembered  her  at  the  mercy-seat. 
The  church  at  Eome  was  large,  and  among  her 
numbers  were  persons  of  consideration,  as  well  as 
young  converts;  he  longs  to  commune  with,  and  to 
encourage  them,  and  in  his  earnest  love  for  them 
exhibits  a  tenderness  and  watchful  care  that  shows 
itself  more  particularly  than  in  anything  else,  in  his 
constant  prayer  for  their  spiritual  welfare ;  "  thus 
feeding  the  Church  of  God,"  in  his  absence,  with 
food  from  heaven.  He  seems  to  feel  in  his  inmost 
soul  the  great  price  that  has  been  paid  to  purchase 
souls,  and  watches  with  a  prayerful,  intense  interest, 
the  flock  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  had  made  him 
overseer,  calling  often  upon  that  God  for  her  wel- 
fare, "  who  had  brought  him  out  of  darkness  into 
marvelous  light."      St.  Paul's  faith  was  constantly 


ROMANS.  3S1 

kept  bright  by  continuing  in  prayer.  This  is  the 
reason  he  so  constantly  urges  this  duty  upon  the 
Church,  assuring  them  that  the  spirit  will  help  all 
infirmities,  and  teach  each  to  pray  aright.  As  a  con- 
sequent upon  these  unceasing  devotions,  Paul  tells 
us  we  shall  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth,  and  each  heart  shall  be  full  of  that  love, 
which,  in  his  own  forcible  language,  is  described  as 
surpassing  knowledge.  Every  Christian  should  pray 
often  and  much  for  the  Church  of  God,  not  for  this 
or  that  particular  branch  of  it  alone,  but  for  the 
whole  Church ;  Paul  prayed  for  it,  and  condemns, 
through  all  his  writings,  a  spirit  of  favoritism  or  par- 
tiality, and  is  ready  to  preach  the  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ  to  all,  and  to  pray  for  all.  He  says,  "  For  by 
one  spirit  are  we  all  baptized  into  one  body,  whether 
we  be  Jews  or  Gentiles,  whether  we  be  bond  or  free ; 
and  have  all  been  made  to  drink  into  one  spirit.  But 
now  are  there  many  members,  but  one  body." — 
1  Cor.,  xii.  For  each  of  these  members  or  branches 
we  are  enjoined  to  pray,  to  cultivate  for  each  that 
spirit  of  charity  which  thinketh  no  evil,  and  is  not 
easily  provoked,  to  quell  ever}'^  feeling  which  should 
lead  the  eye  to  say  to  the  hand,  I  have  no  need  of 
thee,  or  the  head  to  the  feet,  I  have  no  need  of  you. 
If  this  member  or  that  branch  of  the  Church  of  God 
is  suffering,  let  every  other  Dranch  suffer  with  it,  and 
pray  for  it.  These  are  the  lessons  Paul  would  teach, 
viz.,  unity  of  spirit,  and  Christian  charity. 


832  THE   PRAYERS  OF   THE   BIBLE. 


The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Rom.  i. 

8  First,  I  thank  my  God  through  Jesus  Christ  for  you  all, 
that  your  faith  is  spoken  of  throughout  the  wliole  world. 

9  For  God  is  my  witness,  whom  I  serve  with  my  spirit  in  the 
gospel  of  his  Son,  that  without  ceasing  I  make  mention  of  you 
always  in  my  prayers, 

10  Making  request,  if  by  any  means  now  at  length  I  might 
have  a  prosperous  journey  by  the  will  of  God  to  come  unto 
you. 

11  For  T  long  to  see  you,  that  I  may  impart  unto  you  some 
spiritual  f.>ift,  to  the  end  ye  may  be  established; 

12  That  is,  that  I  may  be  comforted  together  with  you  by 
the  mutual  faith  both  of  you  and  me. 

Ahoiher  Prayer. — Rom.  x. 

1  Brethren,  my  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  God  for  Israel  is. 
that  they  might  be  saved. 

Another  Prayer. — Rom.  xv. 

5  Now  the  God  of  patience  and  consolation  grant  you  to  be 
likeminded  one  toward  another  according  to  Christ  Jesus: 

6  That  ye  may  with  one  mind  and  one  mouth  glorify  God, 
even  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

13  Now  the  God  of  hope  fill  you  with  all  joy  and  peace  in 
believing,  that  ye  may  abound  in  hope,  through  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

Another  Prayer. — Rom.  xv. 

30  Now  I  beseech  you,  bretiiren,  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's 
sake,  and  for  the  love  of  the  Spirit,  that  ye  strive  together  with 
me  in  your  prayers  to  God  for  me. 


CORINTHIANS.  '633 


31  That  I  may  be  delivered  from  them  that  do  not  believe  in 
Judea ;  and  that  my  service  which  I  have  for  Jerusalem  may  be 
accepted  of  the  saints; 

32  That  I  may  come  unto  you  vi'ith  joy  by  the  Vi'ill  of  God, 
and  may  with  you  be  refreshed. 

33  -Now  the  God  of  peace  be  with  you  all.     Amen. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  ST.  PAUL  FOR  THE  CHURCH  AT 
CORINTH. 

There  was  no  branch  of  the  Church  of  God 
which  had  fallen  into  so  many  errors  as  that  of 
Corinth,  for  there  were  contentions,  divisions,  and 
strifes  among  the  people.  St.  Paul  laments  over 
these  in  prayer,  while  at  the  same  time  he  thanks 
God  for  his  gifts  conferred  on  Christians  in  the 
church  established  there,  and  asks  for  an  increase  of 
this  grace  from  God,  our  Father,  and  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  His  affectionate  and  pathetic  prayers  for  the 
Corinthians  are  intermingled  with  exhortations  and 
directions  to  them.  Prayer  with  St.  Paul  was  not  a 
solitary,  independent  exercise,  but  an  exercise  incor- 
porated with  many,  and  inseparably  connected  with 
that  golden  chain  of  Christian  duties,  of  which,  when 
so  connected,  it  forms  the  most  important  link.  St. 
Paul  acted  as  well  as  prayed.  This  quickened  his 
spiritual  pulse,  increased  his  ardor,  made  him  watch- 
ful and  anxious  for  the   welfare   of  the   Church. 


834:  THE   PKAYERS  OF  THE   BIBLE. 

Prayer  was  the  great  motive  power  whicli  moved 
the  machine  ;  prayer  kept  him  supphed  with  work ; 
it  made  him  "keen-sighted,  clear-eyed;"  he  was  ena- 
bled to  survey  the  whole  Church,  to  see  clearly  the 
temptations  with  which  she  was  surrounded  in  this 
licentious  city  of  Corinth ;  he  saw  the  influence  of 
false  teachers  on  the  minds  of  the  people ;  saw  the 
effect  of  the  "enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom;" 
hence  he  comes  to  them  with  prayer,  and  the  simple 
story  of  the  cross;  prays  for  them  "  with  the  spirit 
and  the  understanding;"  he  would  confirm  them  to 
the  end  of  their  course  in  the  faith  and  hope  of  the 
gospel.  St.  Paul's  first  letter  to  the  Corinthians,  in 
which  this  prayer  is  recorded,  is  filled  up  with  vin- 
dications of  his  own  character  against  the  calumnies 
which  had  been  heaped  upon  it  by  his  opposers,  and 
contains,  also,  the  most  perfect  and  triumphant  ar- 
gument for  the  doctrine  of  the  resurrection. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Cor.  i. 

3  Grace  be  unto  you,  aud  peace,  from  God  our  Father,  and 
from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

4  I  thank  my  God  always  on  your  behalf,  for  the  grace  of 
God  which  is  given  you  by  Jesus  Christ. 


EPHESIANS.  3o5 


THE  PRAYER  OF  ST.  PAUL  FOR  THE  CHURCH  AT 
EPHESUS. 

This  prayer  is  a  part  of  St.  Paul's  letter  to  the 
Church  at  Ephesus,  written  while  he  was  a  prisoner 
at  Eome,  and  forwarded  by  Tychicus,  who  is  called 
a  beloved  brother  and  faithful  minister.  Ephesus 
was  at  this  time  the  metropolis  of  Asia;  the  worship 
of  the  goddess  Diana  was  the  prevailing  religion ; 
here  was  the  temple  reared  for  her  followers ;  here, 
too,  the  Theatre,  the  largest  structure  of  the  kind 
ever  erected  by  the  Greeks — the  ruins  still  remain, 
and  are  of  interest  as  identifying  the  scene  of  one  of 
Paul's  most  perilous  conflicts.  But  the  Church  of  God 
had  been  planted  here  through  the  instrumentality  of 
Paul,  and  this  prayer  is  made  for  its  growth  and 
welfare.  Confined  within  the  walls  of  a  prison,  his 
desire  for  their  prosperity  is  unabated,  and  he  seeks 
the  throne  of  grace  that  they  might  be  strengthened 
by  God's  spirit.  The  religion  of  Jesus  Christ  had 
many  powerful  opposers  at  Ephesus;  the  worship  of 
the  goddess  Diana  furnished  employment  to  many  in 
the  rnanufacture  of  shrines  and  ornaments  for  the 
temple;  it  was  also  the  seat  of  the  black  art,  so  that 
the  public  mind  was  familiarized  with  the  pretension 
to  supernatural  -gifts,  "and  Ephesian  charms,"  and 
thus  the  people  were  hardened  again:-^t  the  due  effects 
of  miracles.      This  art  ^yrs  not  ak  ue  jiracticed  by 


336  THE   PEAYERS   OF   THE   BIBLE, 

the  low  and  ignorant,  but  studied  as  a  science  by 
the  learned  philosophers  of  the  age,  as  well  as  men 
of  letters ;  these  books  sold  for  immense  "sums,  and 
were  a  source  of  wealth  to  the  people.  These  were 
a  few  of  the  many  powers  acting  against  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  simple  religion  of  Jesus — that 
Jesus,  whose  name  afterward  turned  the  cheeks  of 
the  sorcerers  to  a  pallid  hue,  and  their  books  to 
ashes.  St.  Paul  prays,  he  cannot  now  go  to  the 
Church,  but  he  can,  in  his  prison  cell,  bow  low  the 
knee  in  prayer,  and  lift  up  his  voice  to  God  for  the 
prosperity  of  his  children ;  they  were  dear  to  the 
heart  of  Paul,  and  he  asks  for  them  a  heavenly 
father's  care,  a  heavenly  father's  blessing. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Eph.  iii. 

14  For  this  cause  I  bow  my  knees  unto  the  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

15  Of  whom  the  whole  family  in  lieaven  and  earth  is  named, 

16  That  he  would  grant  you,  according  to  the  riches  of  his 
glory,  to  be  strengthened  with  uiight  by  his  Spirit  in  the  inner 
man; 

17  That  Christ  may  dwell  in  your  hearts  by  foith;  that  ye, 
being  rooted  and  grounded  in  love, 

18  May  be  able  to  conipreiiend  with  all  saints  what  is  the 
breadth,  and  length,  and  depth,  and  height; 

19  And  to  know  the  love  of  Christ,  which  passeth  knowledge, 
that  ye  might  be  tilled  with  the  fullness  of  God. 

20  Now  unto  him  that  is  able  to  do  exceeding  abundantly 
above  all  that  we  ask  or  think,  according  to  the  power  that 
worketh  in  us, 


COLOSSI  ANS.  337 


21  Unto  him  be  glory  in  the  church  by  Christ  Jesus  through- 
out  all  ages,  world  without  end.     Amen. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  ST.  PAUL  FOR  THE  CHURCH  AT 

COLOSSE. 

The  letter  in  wliicli  mention  is  made  of  Paul's 
earnest  prayer  for  tlie  Chnrcli  at  Colosse,  is  some- 
what similar  to  that  sent  by  him  to  the  Ephesians, 
and  exhibits  his  love  and  zeal  for  the  success  of 
God's  cause.  This  branch  of  the  Church  is  supposed 
to  have  been  founded  by  Epaphras,  who  was  sent 
there  by  Paul,  and  it  is  not  recorded  that  the  apostle 
had  ever  visited  it.  This  church,  at  this  time,  seems 
to  have  been  in  a  flourishing  condition,  for  "  his  dear 
fellow  servant,"  as  Epaphras  is  called  by  St.  Paul, 
had  assured  him  of  their  love  to  Christ,  and  to  him 
for  Christ's  sake.  Heretical  sects  had  sprung  up  at 
this  time,  and  philosophy,  under  different  names, 
Aristotelian,  or  Platonic,  prevailed  to  a  great  extent 
in  that  age ;  and  mixed  up,  as  it  was,  with  Judaism, 
and  Jewish  tradition,  it  had  assumed  rather  a  reli- 
gious form,  and  had  crept  into  Colosse.  St.  Paul 
feared  its  effects  on  the  Church  ;  he  warns  Christians 
against  its  wily  doctrines,  a  warning  as  necessary  in 
every  age  of  the  Christian  Church  as  then ;  a  warn- 
ing needed  as  long  as  men,  in  things  of  religion, 


338  THE  PRAYERS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

take   philosophy  rather  than   God's  holy  written 
word,  as  their  guide. 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — Col.  i. 

2  To  the  saints  and  faithful  brethren  in  Christ  which  are  at 
Colosse:  Grace  be  unto  you,  and  peace,  from  God  our  Father 
and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

3  We  give  thanks  to  God  and  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  praying  alwnys  for  you, 

4  Since  we  heard  of  your  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  of  the 
love  which  ye  have  to  all  the  saints, 

5  For  the  hope  which  is  laid  up  for  you  in  heaven,  whereof 
ye  heard  before  in  the  word  of  the  truth  of  the  gospel; 

6  Which  is  come  unto  you,  as  it  is  in  all  the  world ;  and 
bringeth  forth  fruit,  as  it  doth  also  in  you,  since  the  day  ye 
heard  of  it,  and  knew  the  gmce  of  God  in  truth : 

7  As  ye  also  learned  of  Epaphras  our  dear  fellow-servant, 
who  is  for  you  a  fixithful  minister  of  Christ: 

8  Who  also  declared  unto  us  your  love  in  the  Spirit. 

9  For  this  cause  we  also,  since  the  day  we  heard  it,  do  not 
cease  to  pray  for  you,  and  to  desire  that  ye  might  be  filled  with 
the  knowledge  of  his  will  in  all  wisdom  and  spiritual  under- 
standing; 

10  That  ye  might  walk  worthy  of  the  Lord  unto  all  pleasing, 
being  fruitful  in  every  good  work,  and  increasing  in  the  know- 
ledge of  God; 

11  Strengthened  with  all  might,  according  to  his  glorious 
power,  unto  all  patience  and  long  suffering  with  joyfuiness; 

12  Giving  thanks  unto  the  Father,  which  hath  made  us  meet 
to  be  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light : 

13  Who  hath  delivered  us  from  the  power  of  darkness,  and 
hath  translated  us  into  the  kingdom  of  his  dear  Son : 


THESSALONIANS.  339 


14  In  whom  we  have  redemption  through  his  blood,  even  the 
forgiveness  of  sins : 

15  Who  is  the  image  of  the  invisible  God,  the  firstborn  of 
every  creature ; 

16  For  by  him  were  all  things  created,  that  are  in  heaven, 
and  that  are  in  earth,  visible  and  invisible,  whether  they  be 
thrones,  or  dominions,  or  principalities,  or  powers;  all  things 
were  created  by  him,  and  for  him. 


PAUL'S  PRAYER  FOR  THE  CHURCH  AT  THESSALONICA. 

The  good  tidings  of  the  love  and  devotedness  of 
his  brethren  in  the  city  of  Thessalonica,  filled  the 
heart  of  Paul  with  thankfulness,  and  comforted  him 
in  his  heavy  trials,  for  he  says:  "  Now  we  live  if  ye 
stand  fast."  Every  message  concerning  the  success 
of  the  gospel  among  the  people  of  God,  filled  the 
soul  of  Paul  with  joy,  and  his  lips  with  praise.  In 
this  petition  there  is  expressed  no  desire  for  wealth, 
fame,  or  even  an  increase  of  .converts,  but  that  he 
may  meet  them  again,  and  that  not  alone  for  the 
pleasure  he  would  realize  in  beholding  those  for 
whom  so  often  his  prayers  had  risen  to  God,  but 
that  he  might  aid  them  spiritually,  and  perfect  that 
which  was  lacking  in  their  faith.  It  is  the  prayer 
of  one  risen  with  Christ,  of  "  one  whose  spirit  was 
so  large  in  its  affections,  so  high  in  its  object,  of  a 
man  who  had  so  much  of  heaven  in  his  friendships, 


340  THE   PRAYEBS   OF  THE   BIBLE. 

SO  much  of  soul  in  Lis  attachments,  that  he  thought 
time  too  brief,  earth  too  scanty,  worldly  blessings 
too  low,  to  enter  deeply  into  his  praj^ers  for  those 
for  whom  life  itself  would  so  soon  be  no  more." 

The  Prayer  as  recorded. — 1  Thess.  iii. 

10  Night  and  day  praying  exceedingly  tiiat  we  might  see 
your  face,  and  might  perfect  that  which  is  lacking  in  your  faith  ? 

11  Now  God  himself  and  our  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  direct  our  way  unto  you. 

12  And  the  Lord  make  you  to  increase  and  abound  in  love 
one  toward  another,  and  toward  all  men,  even  as  we  do  toward 
you: 

13  To  the  end  he  may  stablish  your  hearts  unblameable  in 
holiness  before  God,  even  our  Father,  at  the  coming  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  all  his  saints. 

"  This  truth  in  all  your  hearts  receive: 
That  all  the  saints  unite  with  care, 
To  prove  the  omnipotence  of  prayer; 
Oh,  then  pray  on.  'twill  clear  the  way — 
Chiefly  for  God's  own  Spirit  pray  : 
There  you  shall  find,  if  there  you  seek, 
Wealth  for  the  poor,  strength  for  the  weak  ; 
Soundness  for  sickness,  life  for  death, 
Derived  from  this  inspiring  breath." 


Date  Due 

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"^  ' '    f  *- ", 

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I      ■    I    "'IN, II 


I '  i;  lillii 


Pfinceton   Theological  Seminary -S peer   Library 


1    1012  01025   1819 


it!)*' 


